From the Sun-Times

Judge's supporters rip Sun-Times, rival
'URBAN TRANSLATOR' | Ex-gang enforcer blames 'evil cabal'

January 29, 2008
BY ABDON M. PALLASCH Political Reporter
A dozen supporters of judicial candidate Michael Hyman held a news conference to denounce the Sun-Times and Hyman opponent Brian Sexton for a Monday story that quoted Sexton criticizing Hyman for paying former gang member Wallace "Gator" Bradley $11,500 to campaign for him in African-American neighborhoods.
Bradley, a former Gangster Disciples enforcer who has run for alderman himself, offers his services as an "urban translator," facilitating communication with those who have been involved in the gang culture. He has worked on the campaigns of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson and Cook County Clerk of the Court Dorothy Brown. Brown spoke at the news conference in Hyman's and Bradley's defense.
Ald. Bernard Stone (50th) called Sexton "a despicable individual" for raising the issue.
Sexton, supervisor of the Cook County state's attorney's gang crimes unit, defended his questioning of Hyman's judgment in hiring Bradley.
"With a judicial race, it's a lot different from other races. You have to be careful of who you employ," Sexton said. "I think the voters have right to know ... of all the people he could have chosen to represent him to the African-American community, he picks Gator Bradley?"
Bradley has angered prosecutors over the years, teaming up with former Death Row inmate Aaron Patterson and others who complain prosecutors should share some of the blame for the wrongfully accused men sent to Death Row on false confessions.
"Sexton is part of the evil cabal that believes African Americans don't have the right to a fair trial," Bradley said Monday.
Sexton responded: "They neglect to mention the fact I work in Austin and Englewood and Little Village, in programs to keep juveniles out of jail and to help ex-offenders. It's part of my work in the state's attorney's office, but I also do it on my own time.
But Hyman, a former corporate lawyer and Chicago Bar Association president who was appointed to the bench last year, said Bradley brought him into parts of the city judicial candidates don't often visit on the campaign and make introductions.
"I will never stoop to tactics like my opponent -- it is injudicious and it is wrong," Hyman said. "It's not a 'lapse in judgment' at all. I believe in redemption, I believe in rehabilitation. Judges who don't shouldn't be on the bench."
Contributing: Fran Spielman