A trial is set to begin for a former Chicago transportation official accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts to steer more than $100-million in red-light camera contracts to a Phoenix-based company.
John Bills allegedly fixed a key commission vote to secure an initial deal for Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. around 2003. It signed others later for Chicago's first red-light enforcement program.
Bills faces multiple corruption counts, including bribery and extortion. Defense attorney NishaySanan has called Bills "a scapegoat."
Former Redflex executive Karen Finley has pleaded guilty to related charges. She's scheduled for sentencing this year.
