After a week-long trial that waded through the complexities of property tax appeals and golf course exclusivity, Robert Mitziga, a 66-year-old businessman from Dyer, Indiana, was acquitted of all bribery charges. The trial unfolded at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, where a federal jury deliberated for two days before reaching their verdict. The Chicago Tribune reported Mitziga's emotional response as the outcome was pronounced, which saw him embracing family members in the courtroom.
Mitziga faced accusations of providing free golfing experiences at Lost Dunes, a posh club in Southwest Michigan, to Cook County assessor's office employees in exchange for reduced property assessments, which allegedly saved his business, Fence Masters Inc., approximately $45,000 in taxes. However, the jurors seemed unconvinced by the government's narrative of quid pro quo despite damning wiretapped conversations where the excitement of the assessor's employees for their Lost Dunes outing was palpable. According to The Chicago Tribune, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Jodrey remarked during the trial, "You would think based on these calls they were going to Jurassic Park."
While this case has concluded in Mitziga's favor, it is a component of a larger investigation that has so far resulted in charges against seven individuals. This includes three Cook County assessor's office employees and one former Chicago buildings inspector, as documented by The Chicago Sun-Times. The other involved parties, such as Basilio Clausen and Lavdim Memisovski of the assessor’s office, have entered guilty pleas. Joseph Berrios, the Cook County assessor at the time of the alleged schemes and a powerhouse in local Democratic politics, has not been charged. The office he led was often the subject of criticism for patronage and opaqueness before losing his reelection bid in 2018.
