
Facing a federal investigation into its real estate dealings, the Cook County Land Bank Authority hired a lawyer who was living with the top aide to Bridget Gainer, the county commissioner who founded the county agency and presides over its board.
A federal grand jury subpoenaed the land bank in May 2021, demanding records. The following month, attorney Michael Del Galdo began working for the agency, though he didn’t sign a contract with the county until eight months later.