Ald. Burke charged with extortion (Chicago, Springfield: insurance, law, legal)

[Nearwest]

I read on the internet a few minutes ago, that Ald. Edward Burke has been charged for attempted extortion by the federal government.


The term used by the feds: "corruptly soliciting business" for his private law practice. Burke was given a $10,000 bond and ordered to surrender his passport. Also, he was required to surrender the 23 firearms he claims to own.


Do any posters feel that Burke will withdraw his name from the upcoming aldermanic election next month?


Also, how do any posters feel that this might impact the mayoral election, as well?

[MSchemist80]

Reminds me of the time the former mayor of my old town Niles got arrested. The FBI showed up at 6:00am on his 78th birthday and hauled him to the pokey. Turns out he had a kickback scheme with a business insurance firm and they had him on tape with a business owner being less than subtle about it.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by Nearwest

I read on the internet a few minutes ago, that Ald. Edward Burke has been charged for attempted extortion by the federal government.


The term used by the feds: "corruptly soliciting business" for his private law practice. Burke was given a $10,000 bond and ordered to surrender his passport. Also, he was required to surrender the 23 firearms he claims to own.


Do any posters feel that Burke will withdraw his name from the upcoming aldermanic election next month?


Also, how do any posters feel that this might impact the mayoral election, as well?

Interesting. Toni Prekwinkle seems to be implicated too.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...103-story.html

And

After the complaint was made public Thursday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel concluded it would be “unacceptable” for Burke to continue as chairman of the Finance Committee, according to one top mayoral aide who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. How soon such a move might happen remains unclear.

Burke himself could choose to step down or Emanuel could force a vote on the matter at the City Council’s next meeting Jan. 23.

[Nodpete]

Can't believe it took so long to get that jerk. They should just go to one of the mayoral forums and pick them all up at once. Maybe Burke could represent them in court from the defendants chair ! Can't wait until the whole City council is behind bars. Then start on Springfield.

[GMack64]

I do wonder who the next specific target is for the feds!

[MSchemist80]

I hear Preckwinkle is implicated. Hopefully that will spare us from her being mayor of Chicago. Otherwise this is par the course. The Dems use government to enrich themselves and their cronies and sometimes they don't obey the law when doing so.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by MSchemist80

I hear Preckwinkle is implicated. Hopefully that will spare us from her being mayor of Chicago. Otherwise this is par the course. The Dems use government to enrich themselves and their cronies and sometimes they don't obey the law when doing so.

The criminal complaint states he asked the owner of the Burger King to attend a fundraiser for her, and the owner, understanding he was basically asking for a bribe decided to cut a check for her campaign fund. She's doesn't appear to be involved in anything criminal stated in this complaint, but it wouldn't surprise me if communications exist implicating her in other activity.

[Nodpete]

Originally Posted by fusillirob1983

The criminal complaint states he asked the owner of the Burger King to attend a fundraiser for her, and the owner, understanding he was basically asking for a bribe decided to cut a check for her campaign fund. She's doesn't appear to be involved in anything criminal stated in this complaint, but it wouldn't surprise me if communications exist implicating her in other activity.

It says in the Tribune today that they sent her a check for $10,000 but the legal limit is $5600 so she kept that but sent the rest back. She will be involved. One can only hope that the Fed's can make something stick to her.

[fusillirob1983]

Originally Posted by Nodpete

It says in the Tribune today that they sent her a check for $10,000 but the legal limit is $5600 so she kept that but sent the rest back. She will be involved. One can only hope that the Fed's can make something stick to her.

Right, the Burger King owner gave more than the legal limit. I doubt she's individually in charge of tracking all her contributions. That's what campaign managers are for, and it's a common occurrence that many politicians, whether in Illinois or elsewhere, Dem or Repub, receive an improper amount and need to send the overage back. I'm not a fan of Preckwinkle, but I'd rather wait for something legitimate. Again, if it turns out Burke or someone working for him coordinated for this payment with her, then she's involved. Maybe she did something else illegal and Burke cooperates with investigators and gives her up for something so he can get a lighter sentence.

[flamadiddle]

that was one "whopper" of a donation! sorry, couldn't resist.