Former state Sen. Marty Sandoval pleaded guilty to federal bribery and tax evasion charges today—and, more significantly, indicated he will cooperate with federal probes into misconduct by others.

The question now: Who can and will the exceptionally well connected Southwest Side Democrat take down with him?

In an appearance in U.S. district court here, the longtime Springfield power admitted taking $250,000 in bribes over several years. Some came from the red-light camera industry that Sandoval regulated as chairman of the state Senate Transportation Committee, but not all.

"I accepted money in exchange for using my office" to "protect" and otherwise help the givers, a grim-looking Sandoval said. He failed to include the money on his income tax returns, he said.

Sandoval faces up to 10 years in prison for bribery and three years on the tax charge. But that likely will drop if he fulfills his plea agreement to cooperate with the feds.

Federal raids on Sandoval's offices last year reportedly involved not only red-light cameras but asphalt paving contracts and lobbying for Commonwealth Edison. Officials haven’t said that’s what they want Sandoval’s help on, but some huge political names have been mentioned in the middle of this, including Ald. Edward Burke 14th, and Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.



In a post-arraignment press conference, U.S. Attorney John Lausch confirmed that Sandoval has agreed to assist on “any subject” the office wants, and indeed has been cooperating for awhile. “Mr. Sandoval has agreed to fully and totally cooperate,” Lausch said.

As is typical, the top federal prosecutor here declined to tip his hand as to what comes next and whether a two-year-long string of federal charges against prominent public officials is anywhere near over. “We encourage, strongly encourage, people who might be able to offer information regarding corruption to come forward,” he said.

But hardly anyone in political circles here believes Sandoval will be the end of it.

In the plea agreement and discussion in court, prosecutors laid out—and Sandoval admitted to—a year’s-long string of corruption. For instance, his underpayment of taxes dates back to at least 2012, and the $250,000 in bribes accepted more recently.



Prosecutors indicated they first zeroed in on Sandoval after a confidential informant, believed to be connected with a red-light camera firm, reported that the transportation committee chief had offered “protection” in Springfield if he got $20,000 in campaign donations.



Later, after hearing that the company had some high-priced consultants, Sandoval asked for a $5,000 a month retainer.



In total, he got $70,000 in payments from an red-light company that is not identified in the charges. Which leaves the question of where the other $180,000 in bribes Sandoval admitted to came from.



In addition to the potential prison time—federal sentencing guidelines suggest he should get 121 to 151 months, prosecutors said—Sandoval agreed to pay $70,000 in prosecution charges, and forfeit $9,000 in seized funds. He also agreed to pay restitution, and could be fined up to $500,000 on the combined charges.



He was released on bail pending further developments.