A longtime Chicago Democratic alderman has been found guilty on federal corruption charges.
On Thursday, a Windy City jury convicted Ed Burke of racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion. Burke, 79, was convicted on 13 out of 14 charges.
The Daily Caller reports:
Burke was indicted for using his Chicago City Council position to bring business from private developers to his own law firm, according to the outlet. He reportedly targeted the developer 601W Companies LLC of New York, which was working on a $600 million renovation to Chicago's Old Post Office, a Burger King restaurant and the liquor store chain Benny's Beverage Depot.
“Did we land the, uh, tuna?” Burke reportedly asked former Alderman Danny Solis, who wore a wire for two years as federal investigators probed the case. Another recording captured Burke saying the developers could “go fuck themselves” if they believed they would receive his favorable treatment.
The recordings captured Burke, who was accused of shutting down the Burger King remodel, making comments about Jewish people and his influence, according to the outlet. Burke, who is Roman Catholic, said Jewish people “deal with Jews to the exclusion of everyone else … unless there's a reason for them to use a Christian” in reference to the lead developer of the Old Post Office renovation project.
Burke's conviction makes him the 39th Chicago alderman convicted of major crimes since 1972.
The entire city council is represented by 50 aldermen who are elected to four year terms.
Burke was also accused of threatening to obstruct raising admission fees at Chicago's Field Museum following its failure to grant his recommended candidate, the daughter of a former alderman, an internship, the NYP reported. The disgraced Democrat repeatedly insisted on his ability to help 601W Companies LLC of New York in its Amtrak dispute due to his connection with a rail operator board member.
He is facing a minimum of 110 years in prison.
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