A federal jury began deliberating Monday afternoon in the trial of a suburban fencing contractor accused of bribing employees of the Cook County assessor’s office with free rounds of golf at an exclusive country club in exchange for saving him tens of thousands of dollars on commercial property taxes. Robert Mitziga, 66, of Dyer, Indiana, is charged with bribery and conspiracy in an indictment that was part of a larger investigation that so far has netted charges against seven people, including three assessor’s office employees and one former Chicago buildings inspector. Mitziga is accused of paying for food, drinks and rounds of golf at the private Lost Dunes Golf Club in Bridgman, Michigan, for three assessor’s office employees who helped steer commercial properties for Mitziga’s company, Fence Masters Inc.
, through the appeals system and ultimately saved him about $45,000 in taxes over three years — without the added expense of hiring an attorney. Attorneys delivered closing arguments at Dirksen U.S.
Courthouse in downtown Chicago, sparring over whether Mitziga knew the assessor’s office employees were acting to lower his assessments in exchange for the golf outings. Federal prosecutors referenced phone records and recorded calls and text messages to argue to the jury of Mitziga’s knowing participation. Defense attorneys, though, contended that Mitziga was longtime “golf friends” with former assessor’s office employee Basilio Clausen, and thought he was.