A Lemont businessman caught up in sprawling corruption investigations pleaded guilty Wednesday to a conspiracy involving the exchange of home-improvement work and sports tickets for reduced Cook County property assessments.
Alex Nitchoff, 56, struggled early in the hearing while standing before U.S. District Judge John Kness. The judge called a brief recess after Nitchoff became emotional. Later, Nitchoff was wiping his eyes as he waited for the judge to return.
When the hearing resumed and the judge asked whether he’d gotten any sleep the night before, Nitchoff told him he “woke up at 2 in the morning” but said he was well-rested enough to press forward.
Nitchoff admitted that he and others had agreed to give private benefits to a onetime employee of the Cook County assessor’s office, Lavdim Memisovski, who then made sure property assessment appeals were routed to him so he could reduce assessed values, resulting in lower taxes on Nitchoff family properties by $550,000.
Property assessments are a key factor in determining property tax bills.
The conspiracy took place between 2016 and June 2019.
Prosecutors say the home-improvement work involved the construction of a shed and the installation of several items at Memisovski’s home, including a concrete pad, decking materials, fascias and soffits, a fence, a gas line, sprinkler heads, tile and windows. On May 23, 2019, Nitchoff met with Memisovski and offered him the use of his home in Florida, according to prosecutors, who says Nitchoff also asked whether Memisovski needed help with any other home improvements, saying he was “gonna owe ya.”
According to Nitchoff’s plea agreement, an employee of Nitchoff’s construction company, John Bodendorfer, also was involved in the conspiracy. Bodendorfer has been under indictment since May.
Nitchoff admitted telling the owner of a Forest View marina he could get the marina’s assessment reduced through Memisovski. The marina owner paid Nitchoff $10,000 to do so, according to Nitchoff’s plea deal.
Memisovski pleaded guilty to a conspiracy in August 2022 but hasn’t been sentenced. Nitchoff’s sentencing has been set for May 8. He faces a maximum of 10 years in prison.
Nitchoff’s late father Boris Nitchoff also has been identified as a key player in the pending case against former Ald. Carrie Austin (34th), allegedly providing her with sump pumps and kitchen cabinets for her home as he sought her help in pushing a development through City Hall.
Boris Nitchoff died in November 2020.
