In the culmination of an investigation that has lasted for many months, Dr. Richard Keller, Lake County Coroner, has resigned his office and pleaded guilty to two felony charges related to the death of a 30-year-old man, Stephen Vaughn, in relation to an overdose caused by medication prescribed by Dr. Keller in his capacity as the head of the Green Dragonfly Methadone clinic.
Tribune coverage here, Daily Herald coverage here.
As Team America readers know, we've been following this story for months, from the first hint of trouble at the Green Dragonfly to the announcement from Dr. Keller that he would not seek re-election as coroner (obviously a desperate attempt to deflect the heat of the investigation), to his resignation as the clinic director and closing of the clinic, to the tightening of the noose of the investigation. We suspected it was only a matter of time.
Terry Link, Lake County Democratic Chairman, will likely be the one to make the recommendation of a temporary replacement to be appointed by the Lake County Board Chairman, David Stolman, with the advice and consent of the Lake County Board (since the replacement must be a Democrat). Maybe since his wife Susan Link was crushed in her primary bid for election as a Waukegan Alderman (against long-time incumbent Larry TenPas), she would be a likely candidate. Such a move would be utterly typical for Lake County Dems. Aren't we all so lucky to have these folks in positions of trust and power?
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26 comments:
You mess up, you are held accountable. Dr Keller, regardless of political affiliation screwed up and is being held accountable for his actions.
Your comment "Aren't we all so lucky to have these folks in positions of trust and power"...what power??? Dems have no power in LC. LC goes further than Waukegan last time I looked. Shall we get into a tit for tat of Republican corruption in this county....corruption that doesn't get to the court system....corruptions that doesn't make it into the media? Throughout the decades the Republican control of the county has handed out some very sweet jobs to their friends....and when they screw up, the carpet gets lifted and the broom comes out.
When is the last time you wrote about wrong doings of the County Board? Most recently Thomson-Carter!
If football weren't over, I'd say Keller caught the greatest pass of the season. As an elected coroner, he moonlights at a meth clinic, dispenses drugs illegally, provides a young man with a large enough dose of meth (without checking urine or blood for heroin) and the young man dies. Dies. And the Dr. surrenders his license (not permanently), pays $4,500 in fines, 100 hours of community service and probation???!!!
You are a lucky man to have friends in all the right places Dr. Keller.
LC Truth - what's up with Bonnie Carter?
Anon 8:04...What is with Bonnie?...well you should do a little research...but I will give you a three word hint
1)resignation
2)forest
3)preserve
In all reality, both parties realized early on that Keller was a problem. Many Dems were distancing themselves from him years ago. Did people know these details, no I don't think so. But his erratic behavior and off the wall perspectives made him a maverick that people wanted to avoid.
Realistically I don't think we will see Susie Link slipping into that position. Terry will be looking for a candidate that either has the medical or investigative background to hold this position and not lose it in 2012. If one of those criteria are not met, then I think we'll see someone from the world of morticians. Either way, the focus will be for a viable candidate that can hold the position into the future.
In regards to BTC (a camp I have no affiliation with or interest in)...really veiled innuendo without any facts? Come on, I could make those types of comments about dozens of Lake County officials and make up little scenarios that make it appear there is smoke. However, we have an investigative team in Lake County that takes their jobs very seriously. If there is something there, they'll do their jobs.
And before anyone makes the Republican corruption claim, let's remember Tom Adams here, he had as much political clout as anyone and they (rightfully) nailed him to the wall.
Terry Link is finished in politics. He also looks like a corpse.
Bonnie Thompson Carter helped let Randy Whitmore get away with dumping sewage from his gas station onto forest preserve land next door for the past 18 years. She completely swept it under the rug for the four years he was a county board member, even though she knew all about it. After his illegal use of forest preserve land was publicly exposed -- by a newspaper -- Bonnie declined to run for a new term as president of the forest preserve board. Specific enough for you?
TA, your unfounded assumptions about Democratic corruption are completely hypocritical in light of such long-standing Republican cronyism in Lake County. But you probably already know that and don't care. Like every other Republican in Lake County.
Anon,
I'm no BTC fan, but I don't think she's been there 18 years and she has certainly not been president of the Forest Preserve for more than one term. She never resigned. When the new elections were held, she didn't run - big difference.
Is that it on BTC?
Sweet deal for Dr. Keller. I've noticed a pattern with sweet deals and our esteemed state's attorney. The closer the accused is to the personal or political interests of State Senator Link the slower and lighter the wheels of justice turn. Keller got off easy. Mayor Hyde got off free.
Consider this, how is it that the fiscally conservative Republican Party that has controlled Lake County, her townships and villages since county founders have created the 2nd highest property taxes in the state of Il., and the 16th highest property taxes in the country? How is it that there were signs last year along our roads talking about stopping the Dems from bankrupting the County? How is it the the majority (ruling) party, the Republicans could allow the minority party, the Democrats to bankrupt our County?
Oh wait IT IS the majority, ruling, Republican Party that has created the property tax situation in Lake County, the rampant nepotism they accuse the Democrats of doing. It is the classic little kid thinking I am in big trouble now .. and then blaming their little brother because they can't stomach the consequences of their bad behavior. Wake up Lake County, Democrat or Republican our elected officials are acting badly and will point their fingers at everybody else. While we sink deeper into debt and corruption.
Keller is guilty and is paying the piper. Loss of your license to practice medicine is a pretty serious deal. Drunk drivers who commit involuntary manslaughter have received lighter sentences in this county.
The Democrats have arrived and are spinning like crazy. The anonymous poster making the unsubstantiated charges against Randy Whitmore and Bonny Thompson-Carter did the same thing on the "Lake County Eye." Trying to create a scandal where none exists just doesn't fly with those who are blessed with a high degree of common sense!
You know, the "bipartisan" blog that attacks only Republicans with rumor mongering. Shamefully, that "bipartisan" blog makes no mention of Keller's sudden about face and pleas of guilty.
One man dead. Prescriptions for drugs written to friends with no documentation. Hiding records and impeding investigations. Testifying for the defense in cases. A misidentification of a dead body burnt and having a van dropped on it (thank God some sharp law enforcement officials in Kansas City caught the murderer who stole that poor guy's identify!) Keller forgot he was a law enforcement official.
Now I see others are posting about high property taxes in Lake County. Of course, they blame only Republicans for this state of affairs. In Highland Park, the District 113 school board, comprised 100% of Democrats, is pushing a $201 million referendum for new swimming pools, new football stadium, new buildings and other goodies. "Splain that one Democrats. All this while test scores languish at Highland Park H.S.!
After they pass that referendum, they will blame Republicans for the increase in property taxes in Highland Park and Deerfield. Or more likely, they will blame George W. Bush! :-)
Because Democrats never accept responsibility for anything that goes wrong under their watch. Just ask the gang that financial sank Springfield. That held back the redevelopment of North Chicago and Waukegan. That bankrupted the City of Chicago and left Cook County government finances in tatters. The Pelosi-Reid-Obama spend-a-thon that future generations have to pay for. You know, the "you will know what is in the bill after we pass it" gang?
Own up to your shortcomings Democrats and we can have some great discussions on how to make things better locally, statewide and nationally.
Otherwise, recognize that you are not fooling anyone with your fake spinning. Other than yourselves!
Louis G. Atsaves
Umm IrishRocketGirl do you have ANY idea how property taxes are created in Lake County? The county is one of the smallest entities that impact property taxes. If you want to make ANY claims against a government body and our local property taxes, go to the entity that is responsible for the majority of those dollars, the schools. After that, you can go to the villages, townships, fire and police. Once you get through those guys, you can look to the county.
I don't believe Rocket Girl is referring to just the Lake County Government, but every taxing entity in LC...99%Republican...even though they are non-partisan, they are controlled by Republicans....it is their farm team!
Louis...I don't think anyone would argue for Keller, but TA started it with his derogatory and now enticing comment about Dems.
LC Truth -
If you think that the school boards, etc are the Republican's farm team you are sorely mistaken. One of the greatest failures of the local Republican party is that we have done a poor job of encouraging and supporting candidates for non-partisan elections. School boards and local government positions are some of the most anti-Republican areas in the county. My hats off to Terry Link for creating one of the best farm teams in the state in those positions.
And to those making claims that Lake County is heavily Republican, look again. Waukegan, Moraine, Zion, West Deerfield and Vernon and Dem country....and the battle for Shields is getting tight. You will also notice those are some of the most heavily populated townships in the county.
Even better look at the two Congressional races in Lake County. Walsh won lake county by a whopping 2.5 %, but Dold lost Lake County by 6%.
Bees....you are flat out wrong. Over 600 positions on the Apr Ballot and 4.5 out of 5 are Republicans. I am tired of people thinking Lake County doesn't go further west than the interstate. Zion is "R" Waukegan "D" N. Chicago "D". All of the Lakes "R". W. Deerfield "D". Vernon "R", then come west and the only other area that could be considered "D" is part of the Round Lakes.
Walsh's win in Lake County was a message that LC is not ready for Tea Party extremism. Less than 50% turn-out. Remember this whole thread was directed at all entities within LC. Look at the big picture.
LC Truth -
If you actually think 4.5 out of 5 candidates are republicans, on the April ballot, you are nothing short of delusional. Those kind of numbers don't happen in the most right-wing counties, let alone a very moderate county like Lake County. That being said, for the past 11 years I have been intimately involved with races in Lake County (excluding 2010 as work and family took precedence). Trust me your perspective is absolutely, without any doubt, wrong.
king louis is in vintage 2008 form, good stuff.
Team I'm disappointed, after that brutal campaign, we have a brilliant chance to kick alexi in the you know where with his ridiculous booze cruise down to latin america and you take a pass?
On the one hand it saddens me this blog has been very quiet for the first few months of the year on the other hand, it's nice to know it will be 4 years until it has to go into overdrive again.
As for extremism turn on the news and see the stuff on the posters the unions are carrying up north of the border. awful.
FOKLAES
FOKLAES, just been busy trying to keep all the balls in the air. I'll try to get back in the swing of things soon; don't want to disappoint the fans!
As for Alexi, I have been keeping up on his affairs to some extent; the word I get is that he's weighing several private sector job offers. After that, he will no doubt run for something else. Word also is that Durbin may not run again... is another U.S. Senate race in Alexi's future... stay tuned.
I also heard corinne wood was running for durbin's seat-gag. We're 3 years away from that. Democrats take a beating in the senate next year they made decide to dump harry reid and start fresh with durbin or schumer negating durbin's desire to retire.
FOKLAES
Terry and Susan Link fans will love the latest discussion on wauktalk.com: http://www.wauktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1448&start=80
Bees...delve into it. Look for yourself. My numbers are accurate.
LC Truth claims that 4.5 of 5 members of school boards and local governments are Republican. LC Truth claims his/her numbers are accurate.
Like those advertisements that claim that 4 out 5 dentists claim . . .
Spin. Spin. Spin. LC Truth, you don't even do THAT well!
Louis G. Atsaves
Louis...you are a classic example of if you deny it long enough, it becomes your fact. As I mentioned to Bees. Look it up all of the candidates and you will see I am correct. The LC Clerk is a valuable resource!
LC Truth: Why don't you prepare a complete list and check recent primary voting records and let us know if your 4.5 out of 5 number is correct.
If you consider Democratic bedrock areas of Lake County alone, your figures immediately fall short.
Cheap spin is one thing. Facts are something else.
Louis G. Atsaves
Loius I did..I got 54 of 665....
54 Republicans? That's it? :-)
Of the rest, are you claiming they all voted in recent primaries and could be identified as either Democrats or Republicans? Or are you lumping in all those who don't vote in primaries as well?
Where is the list?
Louis G. Atsaves
they are all in bed together. lake co illinois has been built up by all these people who hide illegal unconstituinal acts for each other been going on for over 40 years. land grabs stealing property from individuals who cant fight big goverment.take a look where these people came from all got in stayed in ,in some form that washes the others acts.people dont vote because its a rigged gig.with all that said i think we should get more low income housing from chicago to boost our tax revenue so they all get raises and can take more of the public land they so desire regardless of who is living on it.also lets get more illegal aliens here to burden our schools,local law enforcement,hospitals, we all pay for these problems check and see how many illegals are in l.c jail. our taxes pay for them the crimes they comit the free healthcare from e.r,s,books for schooling. and local small buisness cant afford healthcare i wonder why!!!if you open your eyes l.c officials move around within the system using our money to keep them in the system in some form or another keeping them all together watching each others backs same sht over and over and over !!!!!!!!!all that said where do you think bonnie carter is ? still in the system she and the others created im sure she is. and who ever took over will be just as bad or worse.
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