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appointed to the bench were recommended by
Vrdolyak. This would cause problems for Vrdolyak as he was implicated in the case of former Cook County Circuit Court Judge George J.W. Smith, who pled guilty to federal charges of illegally structuring cash withdrawals to avoid tax penalties. Prosecutors claimed the transactions were in furtherance of an alleged bribe paid to a "go-between" in order to secure Smith's appointment. Smith was reportedly appointed by Freeman based on Vrdolyak's recommendation, leading to speculation that Vrdolyak was the alleged "go-between". The investigation did not result in charges of wrongdoing against Vrdolyak, nor in bribery charges against Smith or any other party.
486:. The Vrdolyak Law Group received millions of dollars in legal work from the town during the administrations of Loren-Maltese and her successor, Ramiro González. Maltese was convicted of corruption in 2002 and González was defeated in the 2005 election. While Vrdolyak was not charged in the Loren-Maltese investigation, his close alliance with the once-imprisoned former Town President was a major issue in the 2005 election. During the campaign, Dominick criticized what he called Vrdolyak's excessive legal bills, and removed Vrdolyak's firm as the town's legal counsel after taking office. However,
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condition of his plea agreement. Prosecutors dropped 22 felony charges in return for his cooperation. Prosecutors have indicated that Levine wore a recording device while discussing some of the alleged schemes. Political insiders expressed surprise at the idea that
Vrdolyak would be caught on tape. A long-time power broker and target of investigations, the notoriously careful Vrdolyak has been quoted as saying that he "talk to everyone like they're wearing a wire, even my wife". Chicago alderman
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on the county board. Two of the three attempting to retain their seats were reelected in the first round, but a third, Alderman Brady, lost six weeks later in a run-off; the council was split 25-25, creating a tie which the mayor could break. At this point, several of the
Vrdolyak 29 began to support Washington, giving him a supportive council. In 1987, Vrdolyak resigned as county Democratic chairman, and ran for mayor as the
510:. The key witness against Vrdolyak was to be Stuart Levine, a partner in the alleged scheme. Prosecutors charged that Vrdolyak and Levine devised a scheme to use Levine's position on the school's board to steer the $ 15 million sale of a school building to Smithfield Properties - a developer with ties to Vrdolyak. It was alleged that the two arranged a $ 1.5 million
530:, another powerbroker in Illinois politics. He told the jury that he funneled payoffs for clients who wanted Chicago city contracts through Vrdolyak, including some alleged schemes for which Vrdolyak has not been charged. Monico called Levine's statements in regards to Vrdolyak "absolutely false" and said that he had never heard them before.
400:. Despite the fact that Byrne then stripped Vrdolyak of all powers except his aldermanic seat, he became Byrne's chief ally against both independent and Regular Democrats, becoming her floor leader in the Council. In 1982, with Byrne's support, he was elected Chairman of the Cook County Democratic Committee, ousting County Board President
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Levine, a close friend and political ally of
Vrdolyak, was indicted in 2005 for using his positions on the Illinois Teachers Retirement System board and the Illinois Health Facilities board to obtain kickbacks. Levine pleaded guilty in late 2006 and agreed to testify in several corruption cases as a
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The trial was set for
November 3, 2008. That day, however, an agreement was reached in which prosecutors dropped several of the charges and Vrdolyak pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. The plea agreement stated that Vrdolyak was not cooperating with other
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In 1986, a federal lawsuit forced the redrawing of some aldermanic wards, and special elections in some, but not all, of the redrawn wards. Members of the
Vrdolyak 29 were incumbents in all seven of the wards going to the polls. Four of them did not seek reelection, including three who sought seats
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areas; a position he held until 1988. In 1971, he was elected alderman, and, after defeating
Republican Melvin Simonovich, he served as President of the City Council from 1977 to 1983. Vrdolyak earned the nickname "Fast Eddie" because of his skill in back-room deal-making. In 1979, he managed the
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Radio (1160 AM). He also maintained a strong behind-the-scenes presence in
Chicago area politics. He became best known for his influence in the appointment and election of Cook County Circuit Court judges. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles Freeman confirmed that at least two judges he
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Vrdolyak initially pleaded not guilty to all charges. Vrdolyak's attorney, Michael Monico, questioned Levine's "credibility, reliability and truthfulness", noting that he agreed to testify under "immense pressure" from prosecutors. Levine also testified at the 2008 trial of
550:. On January 29, 2010, a federal appeals court overturned the probation sentence on appeal by the prosecution and ordered a resentencing by a different judge. On October 15, 2010 Vrdolyak was sentenced to 10 months in prison. Vrdolyak served his sentence at the
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Washington's second term began more smoothly, but he unexpectedly died in
November 1987 and Vrdolyak's political clout waned. In light of these factors, as well as his growing unpopularity among Democrats, Vrdolyak joined the
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on charges of bribery, mail fraud and wire fraud. Prosecutors later added additional wire fraud charges, and the final indictment included a total of eight counts. The case centered on property that was sold by the
459:) won with 59%. In 1989, Vrdolyak again ran for mayor, in a special election for the last half of Washington's term; he won the Republican primary as a write-in candidate. The general election was won by Democrat
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by
November 30, 2021 to complete his eighteen month sentence. In January 2022, his attorneys filed an emergency petition requesting his release for time served due to the health risks posed by the
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led the opposition group. The Vrdolyak 29 rejected mayoral appointments and appropriations, but could not override the mayor's veto. The resulting political deadlock was labeled "
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On November 15, 2016, Vrdolyak was indicted for income tax evasion. He pled guilty on March 4, 2019. Vrdolyak was sentenced to eighteen months in prison for the scheme. Judge
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reported that the new town attorney, Michael Del Galdo, billed the town over $ 2 million in 2006—more than twice the average billings when Vrdolyak's firm held the contract.
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After his electoral career ended, he resumed his law practice at The Vrdolyak Law Group. It consists of 20 attorneys. Vrdolyak's three sons are partners in the firm.
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Vrdolyak's brother, Victor Vrdolyak (1933-1992), would also serve as a Chicago alderman (being elected in 1987 to succeed Edward on the city council).
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noted that Vrdolyak was always careful when talking on the phone, once telling Stone to "always talk like the government was on the phone with you".
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In 2005, Vrdolyak agreed to a 30-day suspension of his law license for allegedly double-billing clients he represented in sexual harassment cases.
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Vrdolyak, born to Croatian immigrant parents, entered a Catholic seminary at age 13, but decided against joining the priesthood. He graduated from
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nominee, defeating a candidate backed by Washington in the primary. He was defeated by Washington, who got 53% of the vote to Vrdolyak's 42%.
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investigations, and prosecutors recommended a sentence of 41 months in prison. However, on February 26, 2009, United States District Judge
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After his final electoral defeat, Vrdolyak returned to his law practice. He hosted a popular talk radio show from 1993 to 1996, first on
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in the Democratic Primary, Washington won the general election by 47,549 votes. A solid majority of
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In 1968, he was elected as Democratic Committeeman from Chicago's 10th Ward in the
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He is most noted for leading the opposition in the City Council to Mayor
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1118:"Ex-Ald. Edward Vrdolyak gets 18 months in federal prison in tax case"
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in 1963 and began a legal career in private practice, specializing in
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Rezko trial breaks just before discussion of city real estate scheme
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1169:"Former Chicago Alderman Ed Vrdolyak requests early prison release"
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1143:"Judge Tells Ex-Ald. Edward Vrdolyak to Report to Prison Nov. 30"
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301:, is a former American politician and lawyer. He was a longtime
669:. The Times of Northwest Indiana. Associated Press. 7 June 1992
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from Smithfield to Vrdolyak in return for Levine's support.
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396:. In a colossal upset, Bilandic narrowly lost to maverick
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that opposed and blocked many of Washington's measures.
1066:"Vrdolyak indicted on income tax evasion, impeding IRS"
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Vrdolyak's probation sentence reversed; prison possible
447:, Vrdolyak was the Republican nominee for Clerk of the
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558:. He was released from prison on November 17, 2011.
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On May 10, 2007, Vrdolyak was indicted by a federal
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455:(daughter of Alderman and former US Representative
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1047:Vrydolyak out of prison, en route to halfway house
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716:With Victory in Chicago, Mayor Finally in Control
482:, former Town President of the Chicago suburb of
411:from 1983 to 1987. After beating Mayor Byrne and
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733:Ex-Leader of Democrats in Chicago Switches Party
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859:Vrdolyak Pleads Not Guilty to Bribery, Fraud
113:Chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party
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994:, Chicago Breaking News, January 29, 2010.
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1116:Sun-Times Media Wire (December 4, 2020).
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791:Cicero's Legal Fees Double Under Dominick
297:; born December 28, 1937), also known as
1270:Illinois politicians convicted of crimes
883:Star Witness Tells Rezko Jury of Payoffs
825:Feds catch up with 'Fast Eddie' Vrdolyak
750:Justice says Vrdolyak helped pick judges
451:. He received 41% of the vote; Democrat
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1265:Saint Joseph's College (Indiana) alumni
1260:University of Chicago Law School alumni
808:Former Alderman's Law License Suspended
364:. He received his J.D. degree from the
329:ticket. He was a prominent opponent of
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953:: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
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663:"Former Alderman Victor Vrdolyak dies"
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910:Former Ald. Ed Vrdolyak Pleads Guilty
321:ticket. He subsequently ran again in
96:President of the Chicago City Council
538:sentenced Vrdolyak to five years of
1235:American people of Croatian descent
919:Chicago Sun-Times, November 3, 2008
697:. Chicago Tribune. 25 February 1987
690:"Results of elections for alderman"
605:Fremon, David (1987). "10th Ward".
583:List of Chicago aldermen since 1923
478:Vrdolyak was also a key adviser to
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1029:Vrdolyak reports to federal prison
969:'Fast Eddie' walks, gets probation
25:
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1275:20th-century American politicians
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1064:Seidel, Jon (November 15, 2016).
497:Federal indictment and conviction
1090:Meisner, Jason (March 5, 2019).
885:Associated Press, March 18, 2008
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470:radio (890 AM) and then on
366:University of Chicago Law School
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392:re-election campaign of Mayor
27:American politician and lawyer
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608:Chicago Politics Ward by Ward
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449:Circuit Court of Cook County
307:Cook County Democratic Party
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897:Daily Herald, April 4, 2008
613:University of Indiana Press
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571:SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
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337:leader of the so-called
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959:Vrdolyak Plea Agreement
60:for Chicago's 10th Ward
767:Judge gets the maximum
563:Robert Michael Dow Jr.
508:Chicago Medical School
356:in Chicago, then from
254:Edward Robert Vrdolyak
165:Edward Robert Vrdolyak
798:, September 20, 2007.
740:, September 16, 1987.
348:Early life and family
1250:Lawyers from Chicago
1245:Illinois Republicans
1054:, November 18, 2011.
982:, February 26, 2009.
556:Terre Haute, Indiana
358:St. Joseph's College
305:and the head of the
238:St. Joseph's College
194:(1987–present)
58:Chicago City Council
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552:federal prison camp
546:and 2,500 hours of
480:Betty Loren-Maltese
443:in September 1987.
362:Rensselaer, Indiana
205:Illinois Solidarity
1240:Illinois Democrats
1203:2016-03-03 at the
1175:. January 17, 2022
1149:. November 2, 2021
1034:2011-01-22 at the
974:2009-03-01 at the
915:2008-11-06 at the
864:2008-12-01 at the
772:2007-11-16 at the
737:The New York Times
720:The New York Times
1210:Vrdolyak Law Firm
1070:Chicago Sun Times
980:Chicago Sun-Times
846:Chicago Sun-Times
778:Chicago Sun-Times
754:Chicago Sun-Times
638:"EDWARD VRDOLYAK"
548:community service
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331:Harold Washington
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175:December 28, 1937
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201:affiliations
147:George Dunne
143:Succeeded by
136:George Dunne
120:
102:
87:Succeeded by
66:
1225:1937 births
1173:Fox 32 News
1014:10 December
1009:www.bop.gov
870:CBS Chicago
647:10 December
488:NBC Chicago
417:29 aldermen
131:Preceded by
77:Preceded by
18:Ed Vrdolyak
1219:Categories
940:2008-08-11
589:References
528:Tony Rezko
503:grand jury
398:Jane Byrne
229:Alma mater
210:Democratic
192:Republican
171:1937-12-28
1101:March 17,
540:probation
385:Hegewisch
125:1982–1987
121:In office
107:1977–1983
103:In office
71:1971–1987
67:In office
1201:Archived
1032:Archived
972:Archived
949:cite web
913:Archived
862:Archived
795:NBC5.com
770:Archived
577:See also
512:kickback
421:Ed Burke
335:de facto
333:and the
445:In 1988
372:cases.
325:on the
317:on the
701:13 May
673:13 May
619:
484:Cicero
309:until
223:, U.S.
207:(1987)
183:, U.S.
1181:2022
1155:2022
1129:2022
1103:2020
1077:2016
1016:2018
955:link
703:2021
675:2021
649:2018
617:ISBN
544:fine
472:WJJD
387:and
323:1989
311:1987
161:Born
554:in
468:WLS
427:".
360:in
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272:d
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