CHICAGO — After 54 years on the city council, former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke has been sentenced to two years in prison and was handed a $2 million fine for scheming to use his position to win business for his property tax law firm.
Burke was found guilty of using his position to win business for his property tax firm. He was convicted last December on 13 of 14 corruption counts, including racketeering.
Prosecutors alleged Burke tried to pressure the owners of a Burger King in his ward to hire his firm in exchange for construction permits that they needed to renovate the restaurant.
Prosecutors claimed Burke also shook down developers renovating the Old Post Office.
At the center of the government’s case were more than 100 secret recordings captured by ex-alderman turned FBI mole Daniel Solis discussing the schemes.
For two years Solis wore a wire and secretly recorded conversations with Burke.
The prosecution asked for a 10-year prison sentence, while Burke’s attorneys asked for home confinement or probation, citing the former alderman’s age.
They submitted more than 100 letters of support for Burke, including one from the former mayoral candidate and former Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools Paul Vallas, who wrote that Burke was “worthy of leniency.”
Judge Virginia disclosed that members of the public had requested to speak during the hearing, but it is unclear if they had the chance. Burke also had the opportunity to address the court.
Alongside his prison sentence, Burke will also face one year of supervised release.
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