Sam McCann to be held in prison while awaiting sentencing

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — After pleading guilty for multiple counts of wire fraud, a judge ruled a former state senator and candidate for governor will stay in holding ahead of his sentencing trial.

57-year-old Sam McCann pled guilty Thursday afternoon to seven counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and one count of tax evasion. U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless ruled at his detention hearing to be detained ahead of his June 20 sentencing hearing.

Former Sen. Sam McCann pleads guilty to wire fraud

Federal prosecutors submitted a video McCann filmed and posted right before being detained as evidence. In it, he alleged the government was conspiring against him. U.S. District Judge Colleen Lawless said the video raised concerns for her regarding McCann’s well-being and truthfulness.

McCann served Central Illinois in the State Senate from 2011 to 2019 and ran a third-party campaign for governor in 2018. Between May 2015 and June 2020, McCann used more than $200,000 in campaign contributions for personal expenses, including using the money for purchasing personal vehicles, making mortgage payments, and paying personal debts.

Prosecutors thanked other federal agents for their cooperation.

“We want to extend our sincere thanks to the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Internal Revenue Service for their tireless efforts in the thorough investigation and prosecution of this case,” U.S. Attorney Gregory Harris said in a release.

McCann faces up to 165 years in prison.

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