Today federal prosecutors announced an indictment against a former top aide to Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown. The indictment alleges 55-year-old Beena Patel lied to a federal grand jury in 2015 and 2016.
Patel, according to court documents, falsely denied selling tickets to Brown’s campaign fundraisers to co-workers. The indictment says she also lied about communicating to another Brown worker who has since pleaded guilty to perjury. And, Patel also allegedly lied about knowing that another employee had received promotions and pay raises after the employee’s brother donated to Brown’s campaign.
In a statement, Brown’s office says Patel was a person of honesty and integrity. Brown has not been charged with wrongdoing.