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2 plan to make plea deal in Hired Truck scandal
February 4, 2005
CHICAGO -- Four men pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of corruption in the
Hired Truck Program. Attorneys for two of the men told a federal judge Thursday
that they expect to negotiate a plea for their clients and not go to trial.
Angelo Torres, the former Hired Truck director; John Boyle, a former city
Transportation Department employee; and Jason Martin, a former city engineer,
have been charged with demanding more than $200,000 in bribes. Martin McDonagh,
an owner of a Hired Truck firm, has been charged with a single count of lying to
the FBI.
"I do expect Mr. Torres will not be going to trial," said Torres' attorney
Theodore Poulos. David Stetler, McDonagh's lawyer, said he also expected "a
resolution short of trial." Boyle, nicknamed "Quarters" for his role in the
theft of millions of dollars in coins from the Illinois State Toll Highway
Authority in the '90s, was accused of conspiring with Torres, Martin, and city
worker Nick LoCoco in the alleged $200,000 scheme.