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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2010 A manager at an Illinois Secretary of State Driver’s facility has been arrested and was charged today with accepting a bribe to produce a fictitious Illinois Driver’s License for an individual whose license had been suspended, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez announced today. “We consider the forgery of a driver’s license in this day and age to be an extremely serious offense and a direct threat to public safety,” said Alvarez. “This case is another example of the commitment of the State’s Attorney’s Office to work aggressively with our partners in law enforcement to chip away at public corruption at all levels of government.” LaCalamita was working at the front counter of the driver’s license facility, according to prosecutors, when she was approached by a relative and introduced to another man who told her that he needed a form of identification issued by the state so that he could pass through airport security and travel by air. The individual told LaCalamita that his driver’s license had been suspended as a result of a DUI. According to prosecutors, LaCalamita then met her relative in the parking lot and accepted an envelope containing ten - $100 bills. At this point in the investigation only LaCalamita has been charged but the investigation remains ongoing. Alvarez thanked the State’s Attorney’s Financial Crimes Division, the Secretary of State Police and the FBI for their assistance in the investigation.
Cook County State's Attorney's Office:
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Anita Alvarez
Cook County State's Attorney
Communications Department
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-3423
saomedia@cookcountygov.com
State's Attorney Charges Secretary of State Employee With Bribery
Lisa Marie LaCalamita, 46, of Melrose Park, has been charged with Bribery and Official Misconduct following a joint investigation by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Illinois Secretary of State Police. LaCalamita appeared in bond court today at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building where her bond was set at $50,000.
According to prosecutors, LaCalamita was working as a manager at the Chicago West Driver’s facility, 5301 W. Lexington, when she accepted a $1,000 bribe after using Secretary of State equipment to produce a fictitious driver’s license in September of 2009.
According to prosecutors, the individual asked LaCalamita to produce a driver’s license using his personal photograph and address but then using the remaining personal identification information of his cousin, who had a valid driver’s license. LaCalamita is then alleged to have produced a duplicate license using the personal information of the man’s cousin, but substituting his photograph and address on the fictitious license.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White thanked the Secretary of State’s Inspector General and Police, the FBI and State’s Attorney Alvarez for their handling of the case.
“The alleged conduct is unacceptable, and this should be a warning to any employee that misconduct will not be tolerated by me and will be uncovered,” White said.