UNDERCOVER FOR THE FBI, TERRY HAKE TOOK DOWN CORRUPT LAWYERS, JUDGES

IT IS SAID THAT YOU CAN'T FIGHT CITY HALL - BUT ...

Retired FBI agent and attorney, Terrence Hake has chronicled his involvement with the FBI sting operation which netted 20 judges and 83 others in the 1980's corruption case of the Cook County Circuit Court system. .

 

Operation Greylord was the first time that the FBI had recorded Circuit Court judges chambers. It became apparent as the investigation went on that judges were not only talking bribes for traffic offenses and misdemeanors but felony cases as well. The investigation uncovered that attorneys were paying off judges to fix cases, including a murder case.

 

Mr. Hake began recording judges, attorneys, clerks and police officers while he was an Assistant Prosecutor in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office at 26th and California in Chicago, Illinois. Eventually, he left the State's Attorney office and set up practice as a corrupt attorney. During a three and a half year period, he gathered evidence that led to the indictments of corrupt judges and other individuals. This case set the precedent for recording in judicial chambers and it was the first major sting operation of a judicial system. This case is taught in law schools across the nation as part of ethics training for attorneys.

 

Mr. Hake ended up testifying against all individuals charged over a 20 year period due to ongoing litigation and appeals. Hake is now retired and has documented his involvement in this case in the book "Operation Greylord". 

2016, Chicago Tribune.