Ex-Illinois Politician Confesses to Using FBI Wire in Gambling Bribery Conspiracy
In the world of Gaming Business, Regulation, and Tribal Gaming, a dramatic turn of events has been unfolding in Illinois. Last year, local sweepstakes operator James Weiss found himself in the dock, facing bribery charges, with former Illinois state senator Terry Link being identified as the unnamed state senator from Weiss' trial.
The saga began in 2018, when Weiss allegedly promised monthly payments to Link if he agreed to back legislation to legalize sweepstakes machines. Prosecutors allege Weiss paid bribes totaling $7,500 via his lobbying firm, Spartacus 3.
Link, who was an influential figure in the state Senate, had helped get the gambling reforms across the line, which were part of Illinois' sweeping gambling reforms and were signed into law the following year.
Last week, during Weiss' bribery trial, Link finally admitted he was the missing link in the bribery case. However, Weiss denies the charges, claiming he paid legitimate consulting fees to Link to help block an ordinance at Chicago City Hall that would ban sweepstakes machines.
Politically connected businessman Weiss wanted Arroyo, who was sentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes and conspiring to bribe an unnamed state senator last year, to help legalize sweepstakes machines, which operate in a gray area of the law in Illinois.
State Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) and former state Sen. Tony Muñoz (D-Chicago) testified about Arroyo's sudden interest in sweepstakes machines in the fall of 2018.
Terry Link pleaded guilty to tax evasion in 2020 and is awaiting sentencing. As for Weiss, his trial is ongoing.
As the trial progresses, Link is hoping that his undercover assistance to the FBI will go down well with the judge. For the latest updates, including any recent court rulings, sentencing, or appeals, you may want to check the newest public records or trusted news sources, as developments could have occurred since my last update. If you want, I can summarize what is known up to early 2024.
- Luis Arroyo, who was sentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes and conspiring to bribe an unnamed state senator last year, was sought out by politically connected businessman James Weiss to help legalize sweepstakes machines.
- During the bribery trial of local sweepstakes operator James Weiss, Terry Link finally admitted that he was the missing link in the bribery case, while Weiss continues to deny the charges.
- Terry Link, who was an influential figure in the Illinois state Senate and pleaded guilty to tax evasion in 2020, is awaiting sentencing. As for Weiss, his trial is ongoing.
- For those interested in updates on the trial, sentencing, or appeals, it is recommended to check the newest public records or trusted news sources, as further developments may have occurred since the last update.
