Naperville Woman Allegedly Paid $200K To Bribe UIC Worker

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Naperville woman faces federal charges after she allegedly bribed a UIC employee with more than $200,000 to help secure elevator work for her company. Suzy Tamras-Martin, 68, who owns Smart Elevators in Willowbrook, is accused of trying to hide the bribes by issuing checks to UIC elevator foreman James Hernandez, 54, of Tinley Park in his daughter's name.

The seven-count indictment formally charges both Tamras-Martin and Hernandez with one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and three counts of federal program bribery.

The indictment asserts that the allegedly bribery took place between April 2013 and August 2015. Tamras-Martin allegedly logged the checks as "professional fees" when she made them out to Hernandez's daughter. Hernandez then allegedly forged his daughter's signature and deposited the funds into a bank account.

Tamras-Martin allegedly bribed Hernandez "with the intent to influence and reward Hernandez in connection with his official duties at UIC, which included the referral of the school’s elevator service and repair work," according to a press release.

If convicted, Tamras-Martin and Hernandez face a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

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