Story posted Monday, June 22, 2009
State's Attorney Receives Niles Trustee Resignation Letter
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
The long arm of the law is catching up to two prominent Niles civic leaders this week as the Cook County State's Attorney's (CCSA) Office confirmed receipt of George Alpogianis' letter of resignation from the Niles Village Board today (Monday) and former Niles Mayor Nicholas Blase's scheduled sentencing on federal corruption charges Friday.
State's Attorney's spokesman Andy Conklin confirmed his office received a copy of the letter from Alpogianis after demanding it last week after a CCSA investigation showed Alpogianis did not have standing to hold office because of past felony convictions.
Conklin told the Journal & Topics Newspapers last week, "If he (Alpogianis) does not resign, the State's Attorney's Office will bring a civil action seeking his removal."
After receiving a complaint earlier this month, the CCSA opened an investigation into whether Alpogianis had standing to hold office as a convicted felon.
When Alpogianis was elected last April, Conklin said his office would not seek Alpogianis' removal unless it received a complaint. Earlier this month the Journal confirmed that a complaint had been lodged and an investigation was underway.
Alpogianis' felony record was first brought to light by the Journal & Topics Newspapers last February during a contentious election campaign.
Conklin said the State's Attorney's investigation found Alpogianis had six "class three" felony convictions on his record. Conklin said his office spoke with Alpogianis' attorney who said he would step down by Monday, June 22.
As of 5 p.m. today (Monday), a village board agenda posted on the village's website for the board's Tuesday, June 23 meeting lists Alpogianis as presenting trustee on an action item.
Alpogianis' convictions date back to a 1984 melee outside a Chicago house party in which Alpogianis pled guilty to six counts of aggravated battery. Alpogianis was in his late teens at the time but was charged as an adult.
Original court documents also show an adult felony damage to property conviction for a 1983 bombing incident in Chicago for which he received two years of probation. Alpogianis' current record shows that as a misdemeanor damage to property conviction, but the Journal could find no records explaining how or when that conviction was reduced.
Alpogianis won a seat on the board of trustees last April running on a slate with Mayor Robert Callero and incumbent trustees Andrew Przybylo and Louella Preston after serving on the planning and zoning board.
During the campaign at a well-attended debate in March, Callero pledged his unwavering support for Alpogianis saying he would not be half the man he was if he did not stand behind him.
Callero will have 60 days to appoint a replacement for Alpogianis.
Alpogianis contacted the Journal last week claiming a press release was coming from the village regarding "what's going on with my life," though he would not be more specific. He has not returned calls since the Journal confirmed his resignation with the State's Attorney's Office. Callero also has not returned calls from the Journal.
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