Former red light camera CEO pleads guilty in Chicago bribe scheme

A former top executive of Chicago’s first red-light camera vendor pleaded guilty Thursday to bribing an official to secure city contracts.

55-year-old Karen Finley stood before a federal judge in Chicago on Friday to enter a guilty plea to one count of bribery conspiracy.

According to a federal indictment, Finley, former city worker John Bills, and Bills’ friend Martin O’Malley, who worked as a contractor for Redflex, conspired for Bills to receive $570,000 in cash, an Arizona condo and other kickbacks. Redflex also had Columbus’ exclusive contract for Columbus’ red light cameras until the program was discontinued earlier this year.

In June, Finley pleaded guilty to similar charges in a federal case in Ohio.

Finley’s sentence in the Columbus case is expected to run concurrent with her sentence in Chicago. Finley admitted in the plea agreement that she knew O’Malley was a friend of Bills and that it was important to Bills that Redflex hire him.

Bills, who retired in 2012, has pleaded not guilty to extortion, bribery and other charges.

Redflex spokesman Tilden Katz released a statement noting that Finley was replaced at the company more than two years ago.