Former Illinois State Senator Terry Link was sentenced to three years of probation on Wednesday for tax evasion, specifically for dodging $82,000 in taxes related to his misuse of campaign funds. Link, a Vernon Hills Democrat who served 24 years in the General Assembly and was once a poker buddy of future President Barack Obama, had pleaded guilty to the charges. In addition to probation, Link is required to pay restitution of more than $80,000 to the federal and state authorities. His cooperation with the FBI, which included wearing a wire to help catch his colleague Luis Arroyo in a bribery scheme, was a significant factor in the sentencing decision by U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland. The Feds had recommended probation for Link due to his assistance. Before receiving his sentence, Link delivered a tearful apology in court, defending his record and describing the moment as one of the hardest speeches he has had to make.
Former state Sen. Terry Link was sentenced to three years probation Wednesday for dodging $82,000 in taxes, escaping jail time after he cooperated for years with the FBI and helped prosecutors convict others for a bribery scheme. https://t.co/hLPCw0tBO3
Ex-state Sen. Terry Link, who wore a secret FBI wire in a sting against a colleague in the legislature, was sentenced to three years of probation Wednesday on tax evasion charges stemming from the withdrawal of campaign funds for personal use. https://t.co/NayA0XKF4N
Ex-state Sen. Terry Link gets probation for campaign-cash tax conviction https://t.co/g9M6omD1bJ
“It sends a terrible message to have taxpayers hear that someone in public service is not paying their taxes.” Ex-state Sen. Terry Link gets probation for campaign-cash tax conviction Story w/@RayLong https://t.co/BbfQrqJixJ
Link gets 3 years probation, must pay restitution of more than $80k to Feds and state
JUST IN: Former state Sen. Terry Link, who wore a wore for the FBI, is sentenced to 3 yrs probation for tax evasion related to his campaign fund. Before the sentence, a tearful Link apologized and defended his record, saying it was “one of the hardest speeches I’ve had to make.” https://t.co/Bq2gDs6EY1
#BREAKING Former Illinois Sen. Terry Link sentenced to three years of probation for dodging $82,000, but after helping the FBI catch others in a brazen bribery scheme. https://t.co/hUggpUjAHp
Former State Sen. Terry Link, who spent 24 years in the General Assembly and was a poker buddy of future President Barack Obama, is set for sentencing today in his tax evasion case. Feds recommended probation for Link due to his wearing a wire for the FBI. https://t.co/YVgPhAwK5y
The sentencing of former Illinois Sen. Terry Link, who dodged $82,000 in taxes but then worked undercover for the FBI, is set to begin shortly in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland. https://t.co/j1oLjQaoXW
Yet another Illinois politician will learn his fate today for a federal conviction. This time, it’s ex-state Sen. Terry Link, the Vernon Hills Democrat who pleaded guilty to misuse of campaign funds and wore an FBI wire against his colleague, Luis Arroyo. https://t.co/Hv5AT8H0cw
It's sentencing day for former Illinois State Senator Terry Link. https://t.co/1w8MNhtDcF