A federal racketeering lawsuit against Chicago Ald, just over a year before the scheduled jury trial. Edward Burke has been reassigned to a new judge.
U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Kendall will take over the Hot Button case after previous Judge Robert Dow. announced last week He is to leave federal court and serve as an adviser to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, according to a court order recorded on Tuesday.
It’s unclear how Dow’s resignation will affect Burke’s lawsuit. Earlier this year, he denied pretrial allegations by Burke and his two co-defendants. clear the case for trial in November 2023 After years of pandemic-related delays. A situation hearing in this case is currently set for December 12th.
Kendall, a former federal prosecutor and seasoned legal scholar who has been on the bench for President George W. Bush since 2006, has handled many complex cases over the next 13 months. .
Due to the pandemic, cases are still being backed up in Dirksen U.S. Court, so unlike Burke’s case, the defendants in custody have typically been prioritized in terms of scheduling.
Burke, 78, the city’s longest-serving Alderman, was originally charged in a January 2019 criminal complaint. indicted four months later On 14 counts, including extortion, federal bribery, attempted extortion, conspiracy to extort, and using interstate commerce to facilitate illegal activity.
The 59-page indictment outlines a series of schemes in which Burke attempted to persuade developers to hire his law firm, Crafter & Burke, to appeal property taxes. , Among the projects that Burke sought to take advantage of was a major $800 million renovation of the old West Loop Post Office.
Burke’s longtime aide, Peter Andrews, was also indicted, accused of aiding aldermen in an attempt to sway two owners of a Burger King restaurant in the 14th arrondissement. .
The indictment also accused developer Charles Cuy of hiring Burke’s law firm to sign permits and financing contracts for projects in the Portage Park area in exchange for help from aldermen.
All three have pleaded not guilty.
jmeisner@chicagotribun.com
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-chicago-ald-edward-burke-federal-rackeeteering-case-new-judge-20221011-mrns2xzvfrefde2xhjzw4njdmm-story.html#ed=rss_www.chicagotribune.com/arcio/rss/category/news/ Aldo.Edward Burke gets new judge