Criminal charges related to Arroyo bribery case expected in ‘near future,’ lawyers say

New criminal charges related to the bribery case against former state Rep. Luis Arroyo are expected “in the near future,” lawyers told a federal judge Tuesday.

That brief disclosure appeared in a one-page status report filed jointly by prosecutors and Arroyo’s defense attorney. Chicago’s federal court is trying to get back to business after months of delays during the coronavirus pandemic, and U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger asked for the report earlier this month.

The report offers no hint at who might be charged — or what accusations might be made. But the lawyers told the judge they hoped for a status hearing around August 10.

“The parties anticipate that additional, related charges will be brought in the near future and request a status hearing on or after August 10, 2020, with defendant’s presence waived,” it said.

Arroyo has pleaded not guilty. Still, the machinations of the case so far have signaled an eventual guilty plea. In February, Arroyo waived his right to be indicted by a federal grand jury, which would have had to find probable cause for the charge against him. That move followed the filing in January of a one-page charging document known as an information, which is another typical sign that a defendant intends to plead guilty.

Arroyo’s attorney did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Tuesday.

Prosecutors first charged Arroyo with bribery in a criminal complaint in October. In doing so, they revealed a state senator had been cooperating with them off and on since 2016. The complaint did not name the senator, but a source identified that person as Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills. Link has publicly denied it. Arroyo resigned from the House.