The American Mind

No wonder Michael McGee/Jackson was so gung-ho for his “No Snitchin’” campaign. He didn’t want any of the businesses he was extorting to tattle on him. Thankfully for Milwaukee they didn’t listen:

Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee has been charged federally with extortion and bribery. He is accused of using his position to solicit bribes from businesses in his district under the promise of using his influence in licensing matters.

U.S. Attorney Steve Biskupic announced the charges at a press conference this afternoon.

Biskupic said the charges come after a yearlong investigation, prompted by complaints from business owners.

Biskupic said the allegations involve “multiple business owners on multiple occasions.”

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisolm also filed charged. They’re sealed for now, but we can get something from McGee/Jackson’s mug shot:

A mug shot, however, shows that McGee was booked in on felony charges for:

* Substantial battery/intend bodily harm, party to a crime.

* Substantial battery-intend bodily harm.

* Conspiracy.

The threat of violence explains why police arrested the alderman yesterday, sooner than planned.

At the Milwaukee County Courthouse a group of McGee/Jackson supporters were already there demanding the police free McGee. He’s already on his way to becoming the Mumia Abu Jamal of Milwaukee.

There’s plenty of talk at Badger Blogger and Boots & Sabers.

“McGee Faces Extortion Charges”

UPDATE: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has a full-blown story posted on their website. We see McGee/Jackson had businesses donate to his campaign in exchange for city licenses:

The complaint also says that the bribes were used as political contributions. McGee recently won a recall vote in April.

McGee sought and received cash bribes ranging from $500 to $2,000 for helping the businesses on license matters, it said. Aldermen on the Licensing Committee commonly defer to the opinions of the alderman in that district affected by the license, it said. McGee recently landed a position on the Licensing Committee.

At least four business owners cooperated with investigators, the complaint said. In addition, an undercover agent approached McGee about putting a business with a liquor license in his district.

“McGee told the UCE (undercover agent) that he (McGee) is the gatekeeper for all new businesses in his area,” the complaint says.

The agent went to a fund-raiser for McGee and donated $100, the complaint says. The agent later personally gave McGee $900 bundled in a rubber band, it said. McGee told the agent, “I got you,” the complaint says.

Investigators tapped McGee’s cell phone from March 26 to May 25. During on call, a gas station owner that wanted to stay open around the clock offered McGee $500, the complaint said.

“You have got to be joking,” McGee said, adding it would cost “a pretty penny” for his help, according to the complaint.

The business owner then offered $2,000 which McGee accepted, it said. The Licensing Committee later met and approved the 24-hour operation, it said.

I can’t wait to see how McGee/Jackson’s supporters explain how The White Man set up Junior. I’m sure the excuses will include faked audio and entrapment. Don’t be surprised is some say what McGee/Jackson did was ok because white people do it all the time.

“McGee Faces Extortion, Bribery Charges”