Mayor of Harvey Applauds Conviction of Former City Building Inspector
Mayor of Harvey Applauds Conviction of Former City Building Inspector (Harvey, IL) — City of Harvey Mayor, Christopher J. Clark, commended the U.S. Attorney for Northern Illinois for their office’s work to prosecute and convict, former Harvey Building Inspector, Lester Crowder. Crowder was found guilty after prosecutors said he told an FBI informant, posing as a business owner, that he had to pay $50,000 in bribes up front to obtain property and the necessary permits to operate a nightclub in the City.
Crowder was found guilty by a jury after evidence showed that the former Harvey employee met nine times with an individual who said he was interested in opening a nightclub in Harvey in 2018, under former Mayor Eric Kellogg’s administration. The jury was presented with evidence that Crowder collected almost $13,000 in bribe payments from the individual.
Mayor Clark stated, “On behalf of the residents of the City of Harvey, we are pleased that law enforcement authorities are finally focusing on corruption in the Southland and holding people responsible for their actions. Their previous actions have had serious implications for Harvey’s reputation, resources, and for the quality of life for our residents. We are working hard to attract new businesses, update our street lighting, sidewalks, and streets, and to restore Harvey to its previous status as a leader in the Southland. It has been a challenge overcoming Harvey’s stigma for those of us who have been fighting to overcome Harvey’s recent past mismanagement and history. However, we are rebuilding Harvey. Brighter days are ahead for Harvey. Mr. Crowder’s conviction is a step in the right direction, it sends the message loud and clear that under my administration, business-as-usual will not be accepted and corrupt practices will not be tolerated. We thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s office for their work on this case and encourage them to continue to hold people accountable for their past actions which have damaged the City of Harvey.”
Mayor of Harvey Applauds Conviction of Former City Building Inspector
Clark’s administration is worse than the last… He had nothing to do with the conviction unless he was the informant… He has over 90 murders under his belt, the streets are horrible, dark and dirty… We have no grocery store… Most of the businesses have left… We’ve had 5 police chiefs… Most police officers have resigned… No building inspectors.. He is making illegal sales… He sold his law office building which was raggedy while mayor of Harvey… He can’t profit from anything while in office… He is an incompetent attorney… He’s just a liar…
More than enough corruption, city neglect that built up over the last administration’s reign . Total neglect of the infrastructure and a total failure of all administrators to try and show concern. And, this repeated disconcern about most areas and specifically not the area around Thornton High School is more than questionable!!!