CHICAGO– A federal jury convicted former Councilman Ed Burke on 13 corruption counts Thursday after hearing allegations that the longest-serving 54-year city council member in Chicago history used his power to win private business from developers.
The jury, made up of nine women and three men, deliberated for 23 hours over four days before reaching a verdict after weighing the testimony of 38 witnesses and hearing more than 100 recordings. It acquitted Burke of one count of conspiracy.
Prosecutors said Burke, who left office in May, used his political influence to pressure people to hire his property tax law firm.
Burke “had reached out time and time again, demanding money and benefits from the very people he was supposed to be working for,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur said during closing arguments.
However, defense attorney Joe Duffy said prosecutors had presented a “murky” case.
“Fifty years in his position, (Burke) knows how to cut through red tape. That's why people come to him. He can get it done,” Duffy said.
Burke left the Dirksen federal courthouse without comment. His sentencing is scheduled for June 19.
Peter Andrews, a longtime assistant of Burke, was acquitted of all charges against him. He was accused of helping Burke pressure the owners of 150 Burger King restaurants in the Chicago area to hire Burke's law firm when help was sought to renovate a restaurant in his neighborhood.