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U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation
 
2111 West Roosevelt Road
Chicago, Illinois 60608
(312) 421-6700

Chicago FBI Press Office

Phone: (312) 829-1199

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 17, 2007

 

 

THIS WEEK IN CHICAGO FBI HISTORY

On October 17, 1979, bombs exploded in a 5th floor washroom at the Cook County Building and outside the main gate to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago. A third bomb was discovered and disarmed before it detonated near the Cook County Republican Headquarters, which was housed at 127 North Dearborn Street. Shortly after the explosions, a caller to a local television station claimed that the Puerto Rican independence group FALN was responsible for the blasts.
The bombings were part of a series of such incidents that occurred in Chicago, starting in 1975 and continuing through March of 1980 that were attributed to the FALN. A total of 19 bombings, six incendiary attacks and two armed take-overs of offices and businesses occurred in the Chicago area during this period.

On October 19, 1990, a Cook County Circuit Court Judge, an Illinois State Senator, a Chicago Alderman and two others, were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in Chicago, charged with bribery and corruption. The charges were the result of an FBI undercover investigation codenamed "Operation Gambat". Four of those indicted were convicted of the charges while the fifth defendant died awaiting trial.

On October 19, 2000, William Hanhardt, retired Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department, was indicted along with five others, accused of masterminding a nationwide jewel theft ring. Hanhardt and his co-defendants eventually pled guilty to the charges. Hanhardt was sentenced to fifteen years in prison.

Editor's Note: This release is part of a weekly series designed to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which will be celebrated on July 26, 2008. Additional facts about the history of the FBI are available on-line at www.fbi.gov.