The former executive at the center of a Columbus bribery investigation today pleaded guilty in Chicago to using bribery to help her company land lucrative contracts with the city of Chicago.
Federal authorities had charged 55-year-old Karen Finley with conspiring to funnel cash, lavish vacation trips and an Arizona condominium to a now retired Chicago transportation manager.
The Chicago Tribune had investigated a questionable relationship between city officials and Redflex after it received an internal whistleblower memo written by a Redflex vice president who was fired.
Finley also pleaded guilty in Columbus to conspiracy charges involving mail and wire fraud. In her Columbus guilty plea Finley alleged a Columbus elected official received several thousand dollars from Redflex; money that was funneled through a lobbyist and the Ohio Democratic Party.
A cross-check of campaign finance reports indicate City Council President Andrew Ginther, who is running for mayor, received a donation in question.
Ginther denies any wrongdoing.
Columbus shuttered its cameras and canceled its contract with Redflex earlier this year after a new state law severely limited their use.