HARRISBURG—An incident at Poor Boys bar in Harrisburg a week ago Saturday received no play in media, and Disclosure is only learning about it via public officials outside of the area who’ve advised they knew those involved.
This alleged fight was supposed to have gone down in the late hours of Saturday, March 16 or early morning hours of Sunday, March 17. Involved is reported to have been one of our public officials down that way, Brett Belford, who is reported to us to be mine inspector for Mines & Minerals (Illinois Department of Natural Resources, making him a taxpayer-supported person). Belford is very connected: his dad works in the prison system, his mom works for state treasurer Dan Rutherford, and his brother is a state trooper….so it’s little wonder that the citations he was reported to have been issued were reportedly “torn up” and never made it to court, or to judici.
Belford, our sources down his way (Hardin County) tell us, was bragging about having been in the fight and escaping unscathed (at least with the law), which, apparently, is a regular course of action for anything surrounding him, as can be imagined with all his connections. Our sources have advised that Belford is considered a “party boy” and pretty much does what he wants, where and when he wants, and suffers no consequences.
And since this was allegedly Belford involved, neither did Poor Boys.
The bar would be on its second incident of punishment were this to actually have been handled properly (a report made, charges filed, etc.) However, since it was reportedly swept under the rug, there’s not an “incident”…and the second level of punishment, which would likely entail another shut-down as well as a fine, hasn’t been declared.
So there you have it…Harrisburg’s trying to maintain the status quo, but after a week, it’s finally gotten to us. Only if the people of Harrisburg push this will anything appropriate come of it. Whaddaya say, Harrisburg residents…will you take this issue up with your mayor? Because it’s for damn sure that police chief Bob Smith is the one behind the rug-sweeping, and it’s possible Eric Gregg doesn’t know about it at all. Can you remedy that?
