Scott Lee Cohen -- a pawnbroker who shocked state Democratic leaders Tuesday night by winning the party's nomination for lieutenant governor -- was arrested about four-and-a-half years ago and accused of holding a knife to a former live-in girlfriend's neck, newly obtained court records show.
The misdemeanor charge against Cohen was dropped weeks later when the woman -- who had just been found guilty of prostitution -- failed to show up to testify, according to those records.
The real story here isn't his past. In fact, Cohen disclosed his past when he announced his run for Lt. Governor. He calls himself a "small business owner" though that small business is a pawn shop.
Still, in fact, Cohen disclosed everything. Sun Times columnist Mark Brown informs the readers that he knew all this throughout the campaign. He decided to allude to Cohen's profession in a recent column.
In fact, the real story is the media's total ineptitude in reporting this story. Not only is all of this public information but, as I said, Cohen even disclosed it to the media. The reason the media made little issue of his past is because Cohen snuck up on the field and surprised the political world with his victory. The media didn't cover his arrest because he was barely covered period.
It's important to note that the same Chicago Sun Times that knew but didn't report about Cohen's past endorsed not once but twice Toni Preckwinkle for Cook County Board President. Meanwhile, only today did the same Sun Times report that two Daley confidantes contributed to her campaign.
Of course, it's the Democrats hurt the most. Cohen is essentially through. Giannoulias is terribly wounded and Pat Quinn is a weak Gubernatorial candidate.
Wow, what a year for Illinois!
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