Jason Meisner

Jason Meisner has covered the federal courts beat since 2013, writing about political corruption, terrorism and gang racketeering. In 2018, he was part of the Tribune's award-winning team covering the historic murder trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.

A federal judge on Thursday put off ruling on key evidentiary issues in the upcoming trial of a former AT&T Illinois president accused of bribing then-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Crime and Public Safety |
With Supreme Court decision on bribery imminent, judge puts off rulings in case against former executive connected to Madigan

May 30, 2024 at 3:30 p.m.

A federal judge on Thursday put off ruling on key evidentiary issues in the upcoming trial of a former AT&T Illinois president accused of bribing then-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Crime and Public Safety |
Man accused in Chicago of shipping ‘suicide drug’ around the world

May 30, 2024 at 2:39 p.m.

A Mexican man is facing new charges in Chicago's federal court alleging he shipped a powerful sedative often used in state-sanctioned executions to buyers around the world.

A Chicago-area man who made a national media splash when he filed a lawsuit against dozens of women who allegedly bad-mouthed him on a tell-all Facebook dating page was sentenced Wednesday to a year in federal prison for a tax fraud.

Crime and Public Safety |
Chicago-area man who sued women for bad-mouthing him on Facebook sentenced to 1 year in prison for tax fraud

May 29, 2024 at 4:34 p.m.

A Chicago-area man who made a national media splash when he filed a lawsuit against dozens of women who allegedly bad-mouthed him on a tell-all Facebook dating page was sentenced...

Lawyers for the ex-president of AT&T Illinois are seeking to bar key evidence in his upcoming bribery trial, arguing in a recent filing that prosecutors have failed to identify any conspiracy to "corruptly" influence then-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Crime and Public Safety |
Lawyers for ex-AT&T boss object to Madigan evidence at upcoming trial

May 28, 2024 at 4:37 p.m.

Lawyers for the ex-president of AT&T Illinois are seeking to bar key evidence in his upcoming bribery trial, arguing in a recent filing that prosecutors have failed to identify any...

A five-time felon on parole for a federal weapons conviction was ordered held without bond Monday on charges he opened fire down a busy street across from Wrigley Field earlier this month.

Crime and Public Safety |
‘It wasn’t a shooting range’: Man ordered held on charges he opened fire outside Wrigley Field

May 21, 2024 at 11:03 a.m.

A five-time felon on parole for a federal weapons conviction was ordered held without bond Monday on charges he opened fire down a busy street across from Wrigley Field earlier...

The brother of James Weiss, the politically connected business owner convicted of bribing two state elected officials, pleaded guilty Monday to lying to federal investigators about his brother’s mob contacts, including connections to notorious Outfit hit man Frank “The German” Schweihs.

Crime and Public Safety |
Brother of businessman convicted of bribing state officials pleads guilty to lying to feds about Chicago mob connections

May 20, 2024 at 4:27 p.m.

The brother of James Weiss, the politically connected business owner convicted of bribing two state elected officials, pleaded guilty Monday to lying to federal investigators about his brother’s mob contacts,...

Six people have been charged in federal court in Chicago with conspiring to stage armed robberies across the city and suburbs to qualify for U.S. immigration visas reserved for crime victims.

Crime and Public Safety |
6 charged in alleged conspiracy to stage armed robberies to qualify for U.S. visas for crime victims

May 17, 2024 at 1:49 p.m.

Six people have been charged in federal court in Chicago with conspiring to stage armed robberies across the city and suburbs to qualify for U.S. immigration visas reserved for crime...

Crime and Public Safety |
Guilty plea in $400 million FTX SIM swap scheme allegedly run by Highland Park man

May 16, 2024 at 2:39 p.m.

A Colorado woman has pleaded guilty to participating in a sophisticated "SIM swap" scam allegedly orchestrated out of a suburban Chicago home that led to the $400 million hack of...

FBI raises Lincoln Square home Thursday morning, executes warrant.

Crime and Public Safety |
FBI raids Lincoln Square home in gang investigation, officials confirm

May 16, 2024 at 2:26 p.m.

FBI raises Lincoln Square home Thursday morning, executes warrant.

Richard Globensky, an ex-employee of Augusta National Golf Club, pleaded guilty in federal court in Chicago on Wednesday to stealing golf legend Arnold Palmer's green jacket and other memorabilia.

Sports |
Ex-Augusta National employee pleads guilty in Chicago to stealing Arnold Palmer’s green jacket in $5.3 million Masters memorabilia scheme

May 16, 2024 at 12:12 a.m.

Richard Globensky, an ex-employee of Augusta National Golf Club, pleaded guilty in federal court in Chicago on Wednesday to stealing golf legend Arnold Palmer's green jacket and other memorabilia.

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