Former state corrections head pleads guilty to taking bribes

The former head of the Illinois Department of Corrections admitted Friday to taking bribes in exchange for contracts to administer health care to inmates.

Donald N. Snyder Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and acknowledged conspiracy to take bribes in exchange for ensuring two medical companies' contracts with the state continued and received priority treatment.

Snyder, 52, of downstate Pittsfield, was director from 1999 to 2003. He admitted giving $20,000 to John J. Robinson of Algonquin to ensure that Robinson's client, identified only a as Vendor A in court documents, continued to provide services to the state.

Robinson, formerly of Barrington Hills and a one-time undersheriff in Cook County, previously pleaded guilty in the scheme.

Sources confirmed Robinson's client was a Palatine company. Officials with the company, which is not accused of any wrongdoing, could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon and did not return phone calls in August when Robinson pleaded guilty.

Snyder also admitted to taking $30,000 in bribes from lobbyist Larry E. Sims, of downstate Pleasant Plains, in exchange for ensuring that Sims' client, identified as Vendor B, kept its contract with the prison system. Sims also has pleaded guilty.

Sources identified the company as a Pittsburg, Penn., firm. Officials of the company, which is not accused of any wrongdoing, could not be reached for comment Friday and did not return phone calls in August when Robinson pleaded guilty.

After Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Levin and Laurie Barsella outlined the accusations against Snyder, U.S. District Judge James Zagel asked Snyder if they were accurate.

"Yes, sir," replied Snyder.

Snyder faces a maximum sentence of 60 months in prison, but recommended federal guidelines advise 46 to 57 months. However, in exchange for his cooperation and testimony against another defendant, Michael J. Mahoney, prosecutors will recommend a lighter sentence of only one-half to two-thirds of 46 months.

Mahoney, of Cassopolis, Mich., is another lobbyist for the Palatine company and has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Thomas Anthony Durkin, has called the charges "baseless."

No sentencing date was set for Snyder.

Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.