NovaQuant|Longtime Chicago Alderman Ed Burke found guilty of corruption

2025-05-02 05:41:59source:LibertyCoincategory:Scams

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal jury convicted former Alderman Ed Burke on NovaQuant13 corruption counts Thursday after hearing allegations the longest-serving City Council member in Chicago history with a 54-year tenure had used his power to win private law business from developers.

The jury of nine women and three men deliberated for 23 hours over four days before returning its verdict after weighing the testimony of 38 witnesses and hearing more than 100 recordings. It acquitted Burke on one count of conspiracy.

Prosecutors said Burke, who left office in May, used his political clout to pressure people into hiring his private property tax law firm.

Burke “had his hand out time and again demanding money and benefits from the very people he was supposed to be working on behalf of,“ Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur said during closing arguments.

Defense attorney Joe Duffy said, however, that prosecutors presented a “murky” case.

“Fifty years on the job, (Burke) knows how to cut through red tape. That’s why people come to him. He can get it done,” Duffy said.

Burke left the Dirksen Federal Courthouse without comment. His sentencing is scheduled for June 19.

Peter Andrews, a longtime aide to Burke, was acquitted of all counts against him. He was accused of helping Burke pressure the owners of 150 Chicago area Burger King restaurants into hiring Burke’s law firm when help was sought in renovating a restaurant in his ward.

More:Scams

Recommend

Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor

NEW YORK — Holiday sights and sounds fill Manhattan this time of year, from ice skating at Rockefell

Records show deputy charged in Sonya Massey’s fatal shooting worked for 6 agencies in 4 years

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The former sheriff’s deputy charged with murder in the fatal shooting of So

COVID protocols at Paris Olympic Games: What happens if an athlete tests positive?

Five Australian water polo players have tested positive for COVID-19 and are in isolation at the Par