The FBI on Tuesday raided the home of Riverdale Mayor Lawrence Jackson as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.
The “court-authorized law enforcement activity” took place at Jackson’s small brick bungalow in the 14500 block of South Union Avenue in Riverdale. A neighbor who did not want her name used described seeing law enforcement agents entering and leaving the home with what appeared to be boxes of evidence.
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The home sits on a corner lot a few blocks from the Kickapoo Woods forest preserve. Records show Jackson has lived there since 2006 and also owns a business, Centennial Holdings LLC, registered to the address.
Jackson could not be reached for comment. His assistant with the village told the Tribune “he said to tell everyone” that he would not have anything to say about the raid. Asked if he had an attorney, the assistant said, “He has no comment, either.”
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First elected mayor in 2013, Jackson is serving his third straight term after besting rival and former Riverdale Mayor Deyon Dean in the 2021 primary.
The raid marks yet another federal investigation involving Riverdale, which has a population of about 13,000 and has long been beset by budget woes and allegations of corruption.
In 2014, Chicago real estate developer and ex-government mole John Thomas was sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing more than $375,000 in taxpayer funds earmarked for a development along the Little Calumet River in Riverdale. He admitted using the cash to pay off personal debts and other expenses.
Jackson told the Tribune in an interview at the time that even though Thomas was ordered to pay back the embezzled money, Riverdale would continue to feel the repercussions of his fraud for years.
“It’s a step in the right direction, but unfortunately the Village of Riverdale will never be made whole because of the deceptive, fraudulent practices of Mr. Thomas,” Jackson said then.
In his last bid for reelection, Jackson told the Daily Southtown he had a record of cost savings, improved efficiency and greater accountability.
“When I came into office in 2013, this village was saddled in lawsuits and investigations,” Jackson said. “We couldn’t pay our bills. I’ve been able to stabilize government. We renegotiated contracts, restructured debt and got Riverdale on a path to solvency.”
Jackson, who previously served as a Cook County corrections officer, is paid a $69,900 annual salary, plus health benefits and an automobile allowance, according to the village code.
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jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
