Chicago City Council’s longest-serving member sentenced to two years in prison for corruption

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Ed Burke is the longest-serving member of the New York City Council. Chicago One of history’s most famous property developers, a real estate developer, was sentenced Monday to two years in prison for squeezing developers who needed his help applying for permits.

That’s much shorter than the eight years federal prosecutors had recommended. Burke will likely spend less than two years in prison if he behaves well.

Burke, 80, was a city councillor for 54 years until he stepped down a year ago. democracy Politics. As the longtime chairman of the Finance Committee, he had unparalleled authority in the council over certain city matters.

Prosecutors said he illegally used that power to force developers to use his law firm for real estate tax business while they sought his approval for projects. Burke was convicted of racketeering, bribery and attempted racketeering.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker told the court that Burke “abused his position of power over and over again for years, using his office for personal gain.”

Burke, who denied any wrongdoing when he was charged in 2019, expressed regret for “the pain and sorrow I have caused my family and dear friends.”

Burke’s lawyers argued that his five decades of public service warranted a lengthy prison sentence. U.S. District Judge in Virginia Kendall He received numerous letters of support, including one from former Chicago federal prosecutor Dan Weber.

“In my entire career, I have never seen a letter that I received addressed to Mr. Burke,” Kendall said.

In fact, defense attorney Chuck Sklarsky called Burke a “collarless priest.”

“Ed used his political power for good, for the benefit of this city and all the people who live here,” Skolaski said.

In addition to the prison sentence, Burke was ordered to pay $2 million.

He was first elected to the city council in 1969. Annea former Illinois Supreme Court Justice.