Two brothers at the center of a long-simmering red-light camera scandal quietly pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court, admitting they helped steer cash from Oakbrook Terrace’s automated ticket system into the hands of the suburb’s then-mayor.
Joseph Colucci, 51, of Mokena, and his brother, James Colucci, 56, of Lisle, acknowledged they conspired to defraud the United States through payments tied to the town’s red-light cameras. Both men pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, according to the Chicago Tribune. Prosecutors say the scheme bought favorable treatment for a SafeSpeed contractor along with a cut of Oakbrook Terrace’s ticket revenue.
Probe Began After FBI Raids
The case traces back to a wave of FBI searches in September 2019 that zeroed in on officials and contractors tied to suburban red-light programs across the Chicago area. Those raids pulled a relatively obscure traffic-enforcement world into a broader corruption investigation. CBS Chicago has reported that the sweeps touched off a years-long look at how camera contracts were won, kept, and cashed in.
How Prosecutors Say The Money Moved
According to prosecutors, the money trail started with DSC Enterprises Inc., a company tied to Dennis Colucci. The firm was supposed to collect roughly 14 percent of the revenue from SafeSpeed cameras operating in Oakbrook Terrace. In turn, Dennis allegedly agreed to make monthly cash payments connected to that slice of the proceeds.
Patch reported that the indictment states Dennis died in January 2018, but not before instructing his stepsons, James and Joseph, to keep the payments flowing. Prosecutors say those payments continued until September 2019, even after Dennis was gone.
What Prosecutors Say They Have On Tape
The government is backing up its allegations with recordings and seized cash. Among the headline numbers: about $67,000 taken from former Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Anthony Ragucci’s home during the investigation…