Ex-DCFS official sentenced to 6 months for steering state business

Bamani Obadele was a controversial appointment by ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich

By Annie Sweeney, Tribune reporter

A former deputy director at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services — who was appointed by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich — was sentenced to six months in prison Thursday for steering DCFS funds to companies in which he had a stake and then pocketing much of the money.

Bamani Obadele had become friends with Blagojevich more than 20 years ago after the two met when Obadele was a teen who shined shoes. His appointment to head up the state agency's external affairs was controversial.

Obadele, 38, a South Side preacher with five children, apologized for his misconduct and sought mercy, pointing out he was now also the caretaker for two sons of a brother who recently died.