The foreman of the jury in former Milwaukee alderman Michael McGee Junior's federal extortion trial was a fellow public servant. McGee was found guilty Tuesday on federal extortion and bribery charges, relating to shaking down businesses for liquor license renewals in Milwaukee area.
Racine Alderman Greg Helding says that from his standpoint, the wiretaps of McGee were some of the strongest evidence against him. Investigators conducted a lengthy investigation into McGee, which included several tapes that were played in court where he asked people for money in return for government action.
Helding says he knew some of what was alleged against McGee, but the details presented in court were almost shocking. He cites one example of McGee asking a developer for nearly $20,000 in order to gain approval for a project.
Helding says that unfortunately, a case like this gives the public the impression of impropriety at all levels of government. He says instances like this gain a lot of attention, but most government is not filled with widespread corruption.
McGee faces up to 30 years in prison when he's sentenced in October. Still pending against McGee are state charges of vote-buying and making threats.
WRJN's Tom Karkow contributed to this report.
