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City truck probe has its 7th conviction
By Matt O'Connor
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 7, 2005
A former foreman for the city's Department of Transportation
pleaded guilty Friday as part of the federal Hired Truck
probe, admitting he pocketed bribes in return for
authorizing a day's pay to a truck driver even when his
truck sat idle.
Dennis Natale, 50, of Chicago admitted he even took bribes
to make it appear the truck driver, Timothy Shrader, had
been at work for the city when he was vacationing in Europe.
Natale, who pleaded guilty to one count each of mail fraud
and bribery, became the seventh defendant to be convicted in
the Hired Truck probe of payoffs in city outsourcing of
truck hauling to private contractors.
Shrader previously pleaded guilty and is cooperating with
investigators.
Natale, while foreman of a city asphalt crew, typically
pocketed a $100 bribe each time he fabricated reports
stating Shrader had put in a full day's work, Assistant U.S.
Atty. Manish Shah said.
Natale admitted he pocketed bribes on 30 to 50 occasions
from Shrader or his undiclosed employer in 2002 and 2003,
Shah said.
The government contends Natale accepted $3,000 to $5,000,
but his lawyer has said his client pocketed only about
$1,800.
By paying $50 an hour on days that Shrader's truck sat idle,
the scheme cost the city at least $12,000, authorities said.
Natale pleaded guilty without a plea agreement with
prosecutors, Shah said, and the government made no promises
to him.
According to the government, Natale faces up to 18 months in
prison when he is sentenced.
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mo'connor@tribune.com
Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune
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