City Room™ - News In Brief - No Prison for Vrdolyak

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No Prison for Vrdolyak
Produced by City Room and the Associated Press on Thursday, February 26, 2009

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald (AP/Dave Chidley)

Former Chicago political leader Edward Vrdolyak was fined $50,000 and placed on five years' probation Thursday for arranging a payoff in a real estate deal. The 71-year-old Vrdolyak had pleaded guilty to taking part in the scheme.

U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur said during the sentencing hearing that he'd received more than 50 letters from supporters of the former Chicago alderman and Democratic Party leader. But prosecutors said Vrdolyak had a hidden life, scheming with admitted political fixer Stuart Levine to get kickbacks and committed other ethical lapses.

The case stemmed from the government's investigation of corruption in the administration of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who now faces fraud conspiracy and bribery solicitation charges.

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