Corruption exposed as McCormick Place manager takes kickbacks for fake snowplow services
- Two individuals in Chicago were indicted for a scheme involving kickbacks for fake snow removal services.
- Dominick Gironda and James Sansone are accused of inflating invoices and approving payments for work that was not performed.
- The case highlights serious allegations of fraud impacting a major convention center, with potential prison sentences looming for the accused.
In Chicago, federal prosecutors announced charges against Dominick Gironda, an operations manager at McCormick Place, and James Sansone, a snowplow contractor, stemming from a fraudulent scheme. The pair allegedly colluded to overcharge McCormick Place for snow removal services that were not actually rendered. They created inflated invoices for work that did not occur and involved payments to unqualified workers and equipment that was not utilized. This scheme reportedly lasted from 2022 until 2024, netting the individuals approximately $26,700 in illicit kickbacks. The federal indictment lists multiple transactions including checks of $26,400 in February 2023, $22,040 in March 2023, and $41,730 in February 2024, illustrating the scale of the fraud. If found guilty, both Gironda and Sansone could face substantial prison time, up to 20 years for each count of mail fraud. Such high stakes underscore the seriousness of the charges and the potential implications for the integrity of operations at McCormick Place.