Chicago Construction Exec Gets 5 Years for Property-Tax Bribes

A Chicago-area construction company owner has been sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a bribery scheme to significantly reduce his property tax assessments.

Alex Nitchoff, 57, admitted to bribing a Cook County assessor’s office employee to lower the taxes on his properties by nearly $1 million, the Chicago Tribune reported. Nitchoff pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to corruptly give something of value to influence and reward a public official as well as one count of using an interstate facility to facilitate bribery.

Nitchoff’s sentencing is part of a broader federal corruption investigation involving developers, contractors, and public officials. The scheme saw Nitchoff conspiring with others to offer bribes to Lavdim Memisovski, a commercial group leader in the assessor’s office.

In exchange for gifts, home improvement services and other perks, Memisovski reduced property assessments and extended deadlines for appealing taxes on properties linked to Nitchoff and his company Oakk Construction.

U.S. District Judge John Kness handed down the 60-month sentence this week, emphasizing the severity of Nitchoff’s actions.

Prosecutors had pushed for a harsher penalty, citing the impact of Nitchoff’s “brazen and egregious” conduct on Cook County taxpayers who honestly navigate the burdensome property tax system. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Peabody highlighted that while other residents face high taxes or navigate lengthy appeals, Nitchoff “bought an insider” to keep money in his family’s pockets.

Nitchoff’s defense team had sought probation, portraying him as a hardworking businessman and devoted family man who has done significant good in his community. In their filings, his attorneys emphasized that Nitchoff did not initiate the scheme, and they highlighted his history of helping others through his business.

Despite the pleas for leniency, the court held firm on the five-year prison term.

Memisovski, who was central to the bribery scheme, pleaded guilty in 2022 and is cooperating with authorities while awaiting sentencing, court records show. His involvement has ensnared several others in the ongoing federal probe, including former Chicago Alderman Carrie Austin and her chief of staff, who face separate bribery charges.

— Andrew Terrell