From credit cards to corruption charges: The Hamilton saga
A BND investigation found that East St. Louis Township Supervisor Oliver Hamilton made $230,000 in purchases from 2012-16 on his township American Express card.
Hamilton, who pleaded guilty Thursday to federal wire fraud charges, used the township credit card for items such as plane tickets to plane tickets to Las Vegas for himself and his wife, tires for a tractor used by his construction company, building supplies including drywall and paint, thousands of dollars in car washes and nearly $40,000 in gasoline.
On Monday, nine people faced corruption charges in St. Clair County, including Hamilton’s sister, June Hamilton Dean, and two members of the township board.
Major stories in the News-Democrat’s Hamilton investigation include:
Dec. 9: Hamilton resigns as ESL township supervisor; Dancy named as replacement
Dec. 5: Nine face corruption charges, including ESL councilwoman, Board of Review member
Dec. 2: ‘He’s ashamed of himself’: East St. Louis supervisor pleads guilty
Nov. 18: Hamilton was supposed to pay workers $40.66 an hour. But did he?
Nov. 16: Oliver charged with misusing more than $40,000 in public funds
Sept. 23: Township audits fail to mention $280,000 in credit card spending
Sept. 3: Baked ham, tour boat cruise: Excess marks ESL Township credit cards
Aug. 20: Hamilton’s ex-girlfriend ran housing office that processed contracts he won
Aug. 10: FBI raids East St. Louis Township offices
Aug. 6: ‘Mind-boggling’ waste and corruption: Public pays thousands for car washes
July 29: What $1,000 limit? Township officials charged $210,000 over four years on credit cards
July 2: East St. Louis Township supervisor did not report $200,000 paid to his company
June 10: Public money used to rehab East St. Louis Township supervisor’s boarding house
June 8: Federal investigation underway into East St. Louis Township finances
June 3: East St. Louis Township credit card used for Las Vegas trips, $34 car washes
This story was originally published December 6, 2016 at 10:54 AM with the headline "From credit cards to corruption charges: The Hamilton saga."