Illinois State Employee Nabbed for Altering Driver Records, Pleads Guilty to Extortion

Office of Inspector General

Title:	Illinois State Employee Nabbed for Altering Driver Records, Pleads Guilty to Extortion
Date:	April 08, 2004
Type:	Investigation
Summary:	John H. McGowan, Jr., a former Illinois state employee, pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with extortion. McGowan accepted $400 to $800 bribes to alter the driving records of people who had lost their driving privileges due to DUI convictions and other serious violations. He received a total of $2,200 from five individuals, including $400 from an undercover agent. Computer records revealed that McGowan had also made illegal entries and alterations to the National Driver Register, a repository of information on individuals whose privilege to drive has been revoked, suspended, canceled, or denied or who have been convicted of serious traffic-related offenses. He was arrested in February by OIG special agents and postal inspectors, but was released pending sentencing.