Sen. Cullerton Pleads Not Guilty To 41-Count Indictment: Report

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- State Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) entered a not guilty plea Friday on federal charges that he fraudulently received income and benefits from a Teamsters Union. Cullerton, who is charged with 41 counts, comes from a long line of family politicians that dates back to the late 19th-century, Sun-Times reports.

The charges against Cullerton include 39 counts of embezzlement, along with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and one count in which he is accused of providing misinformation regarding health care. The accusations are linked to Cullerton's time as an organizer for Teamsters Local Union 734.

The indictment contends that Cullerton, who served in that role from 2013 to 2016, did "little or no work." During his tenure with the union, Cullerton is accused of receiving more than $185,000 in income, bonuses, and allowances for cellphones and vehicles.

He is also accused of receiving nearly $65,000 in "health and pension contributions," according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Justice.

Cullerton's attorney, John Theis, released a statement defending Cullerton as a civil servant who is loyal to his family and constituents.

He added, the accusations are "simply not true."

Read more on Patch:

State Sen. Tom Cullerton Indicted On 41 Counts: DOJ

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