William A. Barnett, 94, a respected Chicago attorney who played a lead role in several high-profile cases that included the 1980 tax-fraud trial of Illinois Attorney General William Scott, died Saturday, June 18, of prostate cancer, his family said.
In 1958, Mr. Barnett first came to prominence as lead prosecutor in the tax-evasion conviction of notorious Chicago mobster Paul “The Waiter” Ricca.
At the time, Mr. Barnett was head of U.S. Attorney Robert Tieken’s criminal tax division.
Later, in 1965, Mr. Barnett moved from prosecution to defense, and he served as lead attorney for former Illinois Gov. William G. Stratton in his acquittal of income tax evasion charges.
Stratton, a Republican, was indicted on four counts of failing to report more than $93,595 in income from 1957 to 1960, during his second term as governor. Mr. Barnett, along with attorneys George Crowley and Chester Emanuelson, led the defense to victory.
During the 1970s, as Mr. Barnett’s stature as a tax attorney grew, he was often named as a possible candidate for federal judgeship.
His daughter Leone Barnett said he declined because he believed he was best suited to be an attorney.
“He would have made a great judge,” his daughter said. “The reason he declined was that he enjoyed the theater of the courtroom. He was never ready to give it up.”
In 1980, Mr. Barnett made headlines again as lead defense attorney in the highly publicized tax-fraud trial of a longtime personal friend, Illinois Attorney General William Scott. The trial captured public attention partly because of the fact that it coincided with Scott’s campaign for Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
During the 10-week federal trial, the courtroom featured a colorful roster of aggressive attorneys. In addition to Mr. Barnett, the legal defense team for Scott included former California prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, best known for prosecuting Charles Manson.
The federal prosecution was led by U.S. Attorney Thomas Sullivan and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Margolis and Scott Turow, who later became a successful novelist.
In March 1980, Scott was found guilty on one of five counts of tax fraud. His conviction came on the heels of his defeat in the Senate primary race. A 1980 Tribune report on Scott’s conviction described Mr. Barnett’s reaction as “dejected.”
“He had an incredible sense of honor and integrity,” his daughter said.
Born in Chicago, Mr. Barnett attended St. Gertrude Catholic School, graduated from Loyola Academy in the Class of 1934 and continued on to Loyola University and Loyola law school.
He was admitted to the bar in 1941, shortly after enlisting in the military, where he was assigned to the counterintelligence corps and promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.
In 1945, Mr. Barnett married Evelyn Ruth Yates. After Mr. Barnett was discharged from the Army, they settled in Edgewater, blocks from Mr. Barnett’s parents’ home, and had four children: William Jr., Mary Leone, Theresa and Kathleen.
While his legal career was widely chronicled, his daughter said few people knew his more playful side as a father. He enjoyed swimming in Lake Michigan, bike riding and hiking.
At home, he loved dancing, especially the fox trot.
“He was a great dancer,” said his daughter. “He taught us to do the fox trot, and we danced together during many father-daughter dances.”
Mr. Barnett is survived by his four children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His wife preceded him in death.
Visitation is scheduled for 3 to 9 p.m. Friday in Barr Funeral Home, 6222 N. Broadway, Chicago. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Gertrude Parish Church, 1420 W. Granville Ave., Chicago.
