VRDOLYAK: From before the feds paid him mind |
First,
we learn that former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert – one of the few
Illinoisans to ever rise to that exulted position – was indicted on charges he
violated federal laws concerning bank withdrawals; supposedly to come up with
money to pay off someone else to keep quiet about long-ago wrongdoings.
NOW,
WE’RE GETTING word that former 10th Ward Alderman and Cook County
Democratic Chairman-who-turned-Republican Edward R. Vrdolyak is the subject of
federal investigators.
As
of now, Vrdolyak isn’t charged with anything.
But
Daniel Soso, an attorney from suburban Alsip, is indicted on federal tax
evasion charges. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday that the Soso indictment
makes reference to an “Individual A” who may have been involved.
And
the newspaper said it has sources contending that Vrdolyak is the
aforementioned “Individual A” being referred to.
I
PREVIOUSLY MADE reference to a similarity between Hastert and Vrdolyak in that
both came to the attention of federal prosecutors long after their time on
government payrolls was complete.
Vrdolyak
already has served a 10-month prison term for charges contending that he
arranged for a kickback in the sale price of a Gold Coast neighborhood
building, in addition to any legal fees he would have been entitled to for his
legal services.
MEDRANO: Not many pols get 2nd conviction |
Is
he now going to face the possibility of another prosecution? This one likely to
produce a significant prison term? Is someone determined to see that Vrdolyak
leaves this mortal realm of existence by being pronounced dead in a prison
infirmary?
The
newspaper says the latest case relates to the 1998 settlement of Illinois’
lawsuit against tobacco companies – a $9.1 billion payment, which means
significant money.
PROSECUTORS
ALLEGE THAT Vrdolyak, although not registered as one of the attorneys involved
in the case, were paid a portion of the settlement; and did not comply with the
regulations set by the state Attorney General’s office for receiving such
payments.
HASTERT: Another pol facing not-relaxing retirement |
So
what should we think? Did Vrdolyak somehow get payments for work done under the
table? Or for helping somebody to meet somebody else connected to the case?
We
really don’t know what it is that Vrdolyak is purported to have done; other than
that the “I” word is being flouted about – and that if he were to be prosecuted
for something a second time, it would put “Fast Eddie” in a unique situation.
He and Abrosio Medrano, who also has separate convictions and wound up being returned to prison for a much lengthier sentence than his first stint of incarceration.
IS
THAT GOING to become the Vrdolyak legacy? Or is he going to get the support of
the East Side and other 10th Ward residents who once relied on him
to be their voice at City Hall – and some of whom still think of him as the
person who “saved” their neighborhood.
Of
course, what he was saving them from was what was represented by the election of
Harold Washington as mayor. Which is why I’m sure there are some people who are
more than glad to see Vrdolyak suffer these legal predicaments.
What
this case is all going to come down to is trying to figure out what exactly
constitutes a legal fee? Why shouldn’t Vrdolyak have received some money if he
truly did legal work? I’ve already seen some Facebook commentary implying that
prosecutors should, “leave Eddie alone.”
It
is interesting that Vrdolyak’s attorney told the Sun-Times that the case was so
long ago (17 years) and that his client is now 77; some people will feel
sympathy for “Fast Eddie.” But will more be eager to see him carted off to
prison yet again?
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