A shocking case out of Illinois is raising serious questions about accountability within the judiciary, after former Cook County Judge Patricia Martin avoided a single day in prison despite stealing nearly a quarter-million dollars from a 95-year-old American hero.
Martin, 66, pleaded guilty to felony theft of between $100,000 and $500,000 after draining the life savings of Tuskegee Airman Oscar Wilkerson Jr.—a decorated WWII veteran, beloved public figure, and the last surviving Chicago-area member of the legendary Black fighter squadron. He died in 2023 never seeing real justice served.
Prosecutors say Martin used her position as Wilkerson’s power of attorney to siphon off $246,000, much of it gambled on cryptocurrency, while allowing his nursing-home bills to go unpaid. She was disbarred, hit with a $1.2 million civil judgment, ordered to pay $122,764 in restitution—and then walked out of court with four years’ probation.
That’s right: probation for stealing from a 95-year-old veteran who fought Nazi Germany.
Conservatives erupted online, furious that a former judge—someone sworn to uphold the law—was given special treatment. Libs of TikTok broke the story: “Former Illinois Judge Patricia Martin avoids jail time after stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from 95-year-old WWII veteran.”
One commenter captured the outrage perfectly: “If there was ever a case that demanded real accountability, this is it. Justice should protect our veterans…not excuse the people who exploit them.”
Even legal documents describe a blatant betrayal. The Illinois Supreme Court’s disciplinary commission found Martin intentionally diverted Wilkerson’s money, lied about his account balances, ignored subpoenas, and spent huge sums “for her own personal purposes.”
In other words—this wasn’t confusion. It was calculated theft.
Friends of the veteran were disgusted. Ken Rapier, who knew Wilkerson personally, said, “If you can’t trust a judge, who can you trust?” He added, “It really upsets me when somebody takes advantage of the Tuskegee Airmen.”
CBS legal analyst Irv Miller warned the case would shake Cook County’s already-battered court system. “She’s agreeing that the evidence clearly establishes misconduct,” he said, noting the scandal will undermine public faith in judges—especially in Chicago, where the system already appears politicized and lenient with criminals.
Martin’s lawyer is now floating a technical argument claiming the case may collapse because Wilkerson died during the proceedings. Miller said the argument “may have merit,” which only fueled more anger among those who believe connected officials get rules bent in their favor.
This soft-gloved treatment comes at a time when America is watching the judiciary bend over backwards to prosecute conservatives—including President Trump—while protecting politically aligned offenders and even defending illegal immigrants over citizens. Just this year, another judge in Massachusetts was caught helping an illegal alien escape ICE agents from inside her courtroom.
Meanwhile, a WWII hero had his life savings stolen by someone entrusted to protect him—and the justice system let her walk.
If Americans needed another reminder that the judicial establishment is broken, this case makes the point painfully clear.
