Did millionaire developer Robert Krilich arrange a phony hole-in-one at a charity golf outing as a clever way to pay a bribe to a former mayor of Oakbrook Terrace? That’s among the issues a federal jury will consider when Krilich’s trial opens Monday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. A 19-count felony indictment charges him with racketeering, bribery, bank fraud and tax violations. Federal prosecutors contend a son of former Oakbrook Terrace Mayor Richard Sarallo won the rigged golf contest and a $100,000 vintage Cadillac at a Krilich-owned golf course in Naperville. The government alleges it was really a payoff from Krilich to win backing for revenue bonds to finance his Royce Renaissance project, a development that included towering 27-story apartment buildings and townhouses on 75 acres. Sarallo was also charged in the alleged bribe scheme and pleaded guilty to tax charges. Krilich has denied all wrongdoing.
