Corrupt Ex-Illinois Politician Owns Up to Wearing FBI Eavesdropping Device in Gambling Corruption Conspiracy
In a historical turn of events, a bribery scandal has rocked the Illinois gaming industry, with local businessman James Weiss and former Illinois state senator Terry Link at the centre of the storm.
The scandal, which came to light in 2023, revolves around efforts to legalize sweepstakes machines in the state. Prosecutors allege that Weiss, a sweepstakes operator, paid bribes totalling $7,500 to former State Rep Luis Arroyo via his lobbying firm, Spartacus 3. Arroyo, in turn, promised similar monthly payments to Link if he agreed to support the legislation.
Weiss, however, denies the charges of bribery, claiming that the payments were legitimate consulting fees. He asserted that his aim was to help block an ordinance at Chicago City Hall that would ban sweepstakes machines.
The trial, which began in 2023, has seen several key testimonies. State Rep. Bob Rita (D-Blue Island) and former state Sen. Tony Munoz (D-Chicago) both testified about Arroyo's sudden interest in sweepstakes machines in the fall of 2018.
Meanwhile, Link, who pleaded guilty to tax evasion in 2020 and is awaiting sentencing, admitted last week that he was indeed the unnamed individual from Arroyo's trial. This admission came during Weiss' bribery trial.
The scandal has drawn significant attention to corruption in the Illinois legislature and has raised questions about the process of legalizing gambling reforms in the state.
The article was posted on June 13, 2023, and last updated on June 23, 2025. It is categorized under Gaming Business, Regulation, and Tribal Gaming.
For a detailed and specific explanation or documentation about this case, it is best to consult historical records on Illinois political scandals or archives of news reports from the time when the sweepstakes machine legalization was debated.
This news article provides a clear, straightforward account of the Illinois sweepstakes machine legalization bribery scandal, focusing on the facts and avoiding opinions or unrelated information.
- The Illinois sweepstakes machine legalization bribery scandal involved James Weiss, a sweepstakes operator, and Terry Link, a former Illinois state senator.
- Prosecutors allege that Weiss paid bribes to Luis Arroyo, a former Illinois state representative, via his lobbying firm, Spartacus 3.
- During the trial, it was revealed that Link admitted to being the unnamed individual from Arroyo's trial, and Link had previously pleaded guilty to tax evasion in 2020.
- The scandal has highlighted concerns about corruption in the Illinois legislature and raised questions about the process of legalizing gambling reforms in the state, including casino-games and poker.
