Letter to the Editor: Those cheated by tax bid-rigging have yet to see a cent

Dear Editor,

“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” - Benjamin Franklin

An old adage states: “The wheels of justice grind slowly.”

Years after U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton put disgraced former Madison County treasurer Fred Bathon and his co-conspirators behind bars in a tax-rigging scheme that defrauded homeowners have yet to receive one penny of restitution. Mr. Wigginton estimated our fellow citizens’ losses at more than $4 million.

A recent article in the Alton Telegraph entitled, “Officials Spar Over Bathon Related Suit” (Aug. 22) suggests that Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons and Madison County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler wage a war of words about who should provide restitution.

Mr. Prenzler suggests that the Sale and Error Fund or the Indemnity Fund might be used.

Mr. Gibbons, argues only convicted offenders should pay. One wonders if Mr. Gibbon’s statement sounds hollow. As state’s attorney, Mr. Gibbons could have sought restitution from the conspirators. Instead, Mr. Gibbons chose not to and allowed the statute of limitations to run out. Mr. Gibbons, appears to have done nothing.

Mr. Prenzler’s suggestion would be unnecessary if a prosecutorial agency had acted decisively on cheated tax payers behalf.

One fact remains. Defrauded citizens have yet to receive a penny.

George Washington, Father of Our Country, once wrote: “The administration of justice is the foremost pillar of government.”

Prosecutors who might have acted to recover or restore the money failed to act. If you lost your home or money and the county prosecutor said the offenders should pay restitution but didn’t act on your behalf, what might you be thinking?

This story was originally published September 25, 2015 at 7:10 AM with the headline "Letter to the Editor: Those cheated by tax bid-rigging have yet to see a cent."