Editor’s note: Wish the FBI would take a look at the intimidation used against families by the Probate Court of Cook County. Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com
Tinley Park restaurateur files complaint with FBI, claims political intimidation
Map of Cavallini's In The Park. (Tribune illustration from Googlemaps)
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The operator of a Tinley Park restaurant located at the Oak Park Avenue Metra station has filed a complaint with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, alleging political intimidation by a village trustee, according to a police report released this week.
Although the two men disagree about what was said, both agree Trustee Brian Maher called restaurant operator Norman Elftmann three days before the municipal election about a campaign sign in Elftmann's home front yard on the 7100 block of 77th Place.
The sign supported Stephen Eberhardt, who headed a group opposing incumbent Mayor Ed Zabrocki's political team, which included Maher. Eberhardt lost to Zabrocki in Tuesday’s election.
Elftmann told police Maher blasted him in the April 6 phone call for supporting Eberhardt. Elftmann also said Maher told him the village would no longer provide him with any help and warned it would take $10,000 to cover upcoming costs. The police report did not elaborate on Maher’s comment about costs.
Maher told police he limited his comments to expressing disappointment that a person he considered a friend would support a political opponent. The trustee also told the Tribune in an email that his comments “were not intended as a threat.”
Maher, a tax attorney, previously provided free legal assistance to Elftmann on a residential property tax issue and is a long-time patron of his Cavallini's In The Park restaurant in the village-owned facility.
According to the police report, Eberhardt initially asked police to investigate the call.
Elftmann reportedly told responding police he wanted to deal with the FBI and provided a copy of his complaint to the federal agency.
Maher, a trustee since 1999, currently heads the Village Board's public safety committee, whose responsibilities include reviewing police budgeting and staffing issues.
Elftmann took over operation of Cavallini's In The Park in 2004 under a contract that requires he pay the village $700 monthly rent and 2 percent of gross sales.
Elftmann reportedly assumed the property taxes he is required to pay on the portion of the station leased by the restaurant were included in the rent. In fact, Cook County was sending the bills to the wrong address.
In late 2012, Cook County sent Elftmann a $76,830 bill for approximately a decade of unpaid property tax on the leased space. The county also added late penalties of 1.5 percent per month.
The village has been negotiating with the county Treasurer's office.
Elftmann told police Eberhardt, also an attorney, is currently providing free legal assistance to him on the back taxes related to the restaurant.
In an email, Maher described his exchange with Elftmann. “I did tell him I was appalled that he was supporting my opponents,” Maher wrote. “I told him I was offended because I have known him for a long time and been a friend to him and even done him personal favors.
“I also told him that the guy he is supporting for Mayor is the reason the village may not be able to help him with his tax problem because of his public criticism of the village allowing Norman to remain a tenant in the village-owned train station while delinquent on his county taxes. My comments were not intended as a threat but to make the point to a friend of my amazement at his support of someone whose public position has been that Norman should not be allowed to remain in business with this tax bill unresolved.”
Eberhardt, for his part, disputes the claim that he was in favor of booting Elftmann from the train station, calling it a "total, outrageous lie."
"You will not find anything that I have taken a position to kick Norman out," Eberhardt said.
Gregory Pratt is a Tribune reporter and Dennis Sullivan is a freelancer.
triblocaltips@tribune.com
Twitter: @TribLocal
Although the two men disagree about what was said, both agree Trustee Brian Maher called restaurant operator Norman Elftmann three days before the municipal election about a campaign sign in Elftmann's home front yard on the 7100 block of 77th Place.
The sign supported Stephen Eberhardt, who headed a group opposing incumbent Mayor Ed Zabrocki's political team, which included Maher. Eberhardt lost to Zabrocki in Tuesday’s election.
Elftmann told police Maher blasted him in the April 6 phone call for supporting Eberhardt. Elftmann also said Maher told him the village would no longer provide him with any help and warned it would take $10,000 to cover upcoming costs. The police report did not elaborate on Maher’s comment about costs.
Maher told police he limited his comments to expressing disappointment that a person he considered a friend would support a political opponent. The trustee also told the Tribune in an email that his comments “were not intended as a threat.”
Maher, a tax attorney, previously provided free legal assistance to Elftmann on a residential property tax issue and is a long-time patron of his Cavallini's In The Park restaurant in the village-owned facility.
According to the police report, Eberhardt initially asked police to investigate the call.
Elftmann reportedly told responding police he wanted to deal with the FBI and provided a copy of his complaint to the federal agency.
Maher, a trustee since 1999, currently heads the Village Board's public safety committee, whose responsibilities include reviewing police budgeting and staffing issues.
Elftmann took over operation of Cavallini's In The Park in 2004 under a contract that requires he pay the village $700 monthly rent and 2 percent of gross sales.
Elftmann reportedly assumed the property taxes he is required to pay on the portion of the station leased by the restaurant were included in the rent. In fact, Cook County was sending the bills to the wrong address.
In late 2012, Cook County sent Elftmann a $76,830 bill for approximately a decade of unpaid property tax on the leased space. The county also added late penalties of 1.5 percent per month.
The village has been negotiating with the county Treasurer's office.
Elftmann told police Eberhardt, also an attorney, is currently providing free legal assistance to him on the back taxes related to the restaurant.
In an email, Maher described his exchange with Elftmann. “I did tell him I was appalled that he was supporting my opponents,” Maher wrote. “I told him I was offended because I have known him for a long time and been a friend to him and even done him personal favors.
“I also told him that the guy he is supporting for Mayor is the reason the village may not be able to help him with his tax problem because of his public criticism of the village allowing Norman to remain a tenant in the village-owned train station while delinquent on his county taxes. My comments were not intended as a threat but to make the point to a friend of my amazement at his support of someone whose public position has been that Norman should not be allowed to remain in business with this tax bill unresolved.”
Eberhardt, for his part, disputes the claim that he was in favor of booting Elftmann from the train station, calling it a "total, outrageous lie."
"You will not find anything that I have taken a position to kick Norman out," Eberhardt said.
Gregory Pratt is a Tribune reporter and Dennis Sullivan is a freelancer.
triblocaltips@tribune.com
Twitter: @TribLocal
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/tinley_park/chi-tinley-park-political-intimidation-claim-20130412,0,6362935.story
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