Convicted Police Chief who shook down two churches and a Kiddieland gets 6 years

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http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2054489,vito-scavo-melrose-park-sentenced-021710.article

Six years for Melrose Park police Chief Scavo

Judge: He doesn't deserve harsher sentence than ex-Gov. Geroge Ryan

February 17, 2010

By NATASHA KORECKI Federal Courts Reporter

Former Melrose Park Police Chief Vito Scavo was sentenced to six years in prison today for extorting business owners in town to hire his private security firm — a considerable break in sentencing from the maximum 25 years prosecutors had sought.

Scavo apologized at the hearing before U.S. District Judge Joan Gottschall in Chicago, saying he knew he had embarrassed his family, friends and the village of Melrose Park. snip

Scavo, at times tearful, told the judge: "Obviously, the jury saw guilt. I truly feel in my heart I was only trying to better my life."

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Drury said Scavo's corruption stopped at no one. Scavo shook down two churches in Melrose Park and was accused of extorting the owner of Kiddieland, the amusement park. That owner, whom Drury described as a "hunting buddy of Scavo's," later wrote a letter in support of Scavo, saying he sought out more security. The security business pulled in millions, Drury said.

Scavo was "a person who cheats, who preys, who lies," Drury said. "He did it to all aspects of people in Melrose Park for years."