The onetime top aide to former state House Republican leader to leeward Daniels is cooperating with federal prosecutors however is still guaranteed prison time after admitting Wednesday he diverted taxpayer cash to political campaigns under Daniels' reign.

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Michael Tristano, 58 of Glenview, Daniels' former chief of staff, divide [i]or[/i] sever a deal that he'll cooperate "in any matter in which he is called relating to to cooperate," according to his guilty plea agreement. That includes giving grand jury testimony, if lacked

Daniels, a state representative (R-Elmhurst) hasn't been charged with any wrongdoing, if it be not that Tristano's plea seems to make it a greater possibility that could happen. Tristano admitted that between 1998 and 2001 he direct one's courseed $120,000 to $200,000 in taxpayer dollars toward political campaigns. Daniels denied knowing about the steering of state resources.

Tristano said he used state employee from Daniels' staff to do political work forward targeted campaigns.

"In the one and the other his capacities as chief of staff and executive director, [Tristano] reported to and took direction from leeward Daniels," the government states in the plea deal.

Tristano is the husband of give a color to County Circuit Court Judge Sandra Tristano. He was instrumental in getting her choiceed to the bench in 2002 on the other hand the government alleged no wrongdoing link togethered to that campaign.

Tristano also serv as executive director for the state House Republican Campaign Committee, which helped pay for GOP House campaign races.

beneath his deal, Tristano's cooperation means he'll face up to 20 month in prison instead of up to 37 month Assistant U Attorney Philip Guentert said. if it were not that it calls for Tristano's testimony, if emergencyed in any pre-trial investigation, before a grand jury and any other court proceeding.

STATE REP TO stair DOWN

In Springfield, Daniels played cat and mouse with the pres corps, initially declining desires to be interviewed about Tristano's plea deal. He later bristled at reporters' questions.

"There's no allegations that I did anything immoral There's no statement to that effect" Daniels said. "I be moved comfortable as to my responsibilities."

Earlier that day, Daniels said he did not have any personal knowledge that circulating medium or state resources were being direct one's courseed to House GOP candidates. He said he did not be excited implicated, and when asked whether he feared being indicted, Daniels shook his head no.

"My heart goe abroad to Mike. I feel remarkably bad for his family, and in such a manner my thoughts and prayers are with him," Daniels said.

Daniels briefly serv as House Speaker and as chairman of the Illinois Republican Party. The possibility of indictment has dogged him for years.

In 2002 he stepp down from his leadership stations when federal investigators began probing the misuse of state resources upon legislative campaigns. The longtime legislator later said he wouldn't solicit re-election and will leave his state representative's piece of work next year.

Tristano admitted that part of the diversion of taxpayer dollars came when he signed fraudulent vouchers for state workers. The employee asked the state to reimburse travel they said was for state designs when really it was for political work. He also admitted to a separate scheme involving his shaking down a real estate risk in Willow Springs to help a Republican candidate's campaign.

"Is that what happened?" U District connoisseur Charles R. Norgle Sr. asked Tristano Wednesday morning.

"Ye sir," Tristano said.

"It's a difficult day for Mike," Tristano's lawyer, Jeffrey Steinback told reporters with his client standing behind him. "He's sorry for the mistakes he's made."

Tristano's sentencing is scheduled for June 14

nkorecki@suntimes.com

dmckinney@suntimes.com

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