Lemont businessman sentenced to five years in prison for bribe

A Lemont businessman was sentenced Wednesday to five years in federal prison after admitting he bribed an employee of the Cook County assessor’s office to lower taxes on his family’s properties.

Judge John F. Kness told Alex Nitchoff, 56, that the bribery scheme was “a cancer” that eats away at the public’s respect for government institutions.

“With due regard to the great support for Mr. Nitchoff,” Kness said, noting the voluminous letters of support and the courtroom gallery packed with family and friends, “the fact remains that this offense is among the very worst to the overall functioning of society.”

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