| ► Former Judge Michael Cook of Belleville, IL; druggie |
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Former Judge Michael Cook of Belleville, IL; druggie 
The state of Illinois presented Michael C. Cook with a law license in 1978 after he graduated from the University of Michigan Law School.
For several years, Michael was employed as a St. Clair County Circuit Court judge. Cook presided over at least 90 percent of the drug court cases in circuit court. In addition, Cook decided if felons were complying with their rehabilitation efforts.
In an ironic twist, Michael was recently charged by federal prosecutors with possessing heroin and having a gun while illegally using controlled substances. Mike pleaded not guilty and was released on bond and then entered a drug rehab facility.
The Feds raided Mike’s home and hunting cabin in Pike County where his former colleague, Judge Joe Christ died of a cocaine overdose in March 2013.
Mike had about 225 current drug cases and they have all been transferred to another judge as a result of his arrest.
Since 2010, Mike’s handled over 500 criminal cases ranging from shoplifting to murder. Some of those who have been found guilty can now come back and demand new trials due to Mike’s criminal conduct.
All that’s left now is to see if the Illinois Supreme Court has the courage to order that Mike’s law license be permanently voided.
As we speak (ca. June 2013), Michael practices at 12 West Lincoln Street in Belleville, Illinois.
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