Donor to Gov. Edgar Convicted of Bribery

A federal jury convicted one of Gov. Jim Edgar’s biggest campaign donors of using bribes, including cash-stuffed envelopes and lobster dinners, to arrange a state contract that cheated taxpayers out of more than $7 million. Edgar, a Republican, was not accused of wrongdoing. The computer consulting firm won a huge increase in its contract with the Department of Public Aid in 1993 after showering state officials with gifts. The Springfield jury convicted Management Services of Illinois Inc., former partner Michael Martin and former state welfare administrator Ronald Lowder.