Former Illinois Mayor Pleads Guilty to Insurance Scam

The former mayor of the Chicago northern suburb of Niles has pleaded guilty to taking more than $420,000 from an insurance agency in a kickback scheme.

Nicholas Blase appeared before U.S. District Judge Wayne Andersen on Oct.31. The 80-year-old admitted steering customers to the insurance agency owned by his friend Ralph Weiner and receiving 25 percent of the commissions.

During his court appearance, Blase apologize to his family, friends and the residents of Niles.

The judge set sentencing for Jan. 29. Blase could get a maximum of 20 years.

He’d been mayor of Niles for 47 years when he resigned in August.