(The Center Square) – An Illinois state representative faces multiple counts of wire fraud and providing a false statement, according to a federal indictment released Tuesday night.
State Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, was charged with eight counts of wire fraud surrounding an alleged kickback scheme involving campaign contributions. She was also charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Her husband, Aaron Ammons, the Champaign County clerk of courts, also faces charges of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of evidence.
Neither Carol nor Aaron Ammons responded to The Center Square’s request for comment.
The indictment alleges Carol Ammons benefitted financially from her role as a state lawmaker through direct involvement in increasing appropriated state tax funds granted to nonprofit organizations in her district, of which her daughter, Titianna Ammons, was employed.
“It was a purpose and objective of the scheme that Ammons enriched herself by converting contributions and donations to her campaign for her personal use,” the indictment alleges. “It was also a purpose and objective of the scheme that Ammons assisted local organizations in obtaining state grants that would benefit her and her daughter financially in violation of Illinois conflict of interest rules.”
The indictment also reads that both the Carol and Aaron Ammons made false claims of not knowing there was a conflict of interest with one organization using a state grant to pay her daughter.
The pair also allegedly advised a potential witness to communicate with them through code words about ongoing FBI investigations into their conduct.
Arron Ammons was alleged to have engaged in conduct toward another person to mislead them and hinder their communication with law enforcement by knowingly directing the potential witness to “muddy the waters” when speaking to the FBI, according to the indictment.
llinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said in a statement that Carol Ammons is temporarily removed from all House Democratic Caucus meetings, from all House committees and from accessing Speaker’s Office staff and resources.
Welch is also having is staff review the budget to determine whether any funds need to be paused or reconsidered.
“The allegations in this indictment are extremely serious. Every person under our system of justice is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process. The U.S. Attorney will lay out evidence in court, where Rep. Ammons will have the chance to defend herself against the allegations,” Welch said.
Tatianna, the daughter and a former Champaign County Board member, was also federally indicted last month on unrelated charges of wire fraud for claiming unemployment benefits while working for the board and other entities.
