Judge Says Bianchi Not Guilty

McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi was cleared of all charges in court, Wednesday, according to a Daily Herald report. His secretary Joyce Synek was also found not guilty of 5 counts of misconduct and conspiracy.

Special Prosecutor Henry Tonigan brought charges that Bianchi used his office for personal campaign work. He was charged with 19 counts of misconduct, one count of conspiracy and one count of unlawful communication with a grand jury witness, according to the Northwest Herald.

After the verdict from Winnebago County Judge Joseph McGraw, Bianchi said he would never forget what it was like to be falsely accused, according to the Northwest Herald.

Bianchi still faces additional charges that allege he played favoritism in brokering deals for reduced sentences and dropped charges.

While Bianchi has been cleared of the first set of charges, taxpayers will still be charged with the bill from prosecutors Tonigan and Thomas McQueen. The county has been charged $320,000 so far, for their services, according to a Daily Herald article and that amount continues to grow.