Old-school Chicago unfolds in court
The trial of former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke centers around corruption allegations linked to the Old Post Office’s renovation project. Secret recordings played in court allegedly show Burke using his political influence to solicit business for his private law firm. In one conversation, Burke is heard asking a colleague if the project’s developers agreed to hire his firm, referring to the potential deal as a “tuna.” Burke is also accused of threatening to block a fee increase at the Field Museum after they failed to hire an ally’s daughter, and of shaking down the owners of a Texas-based Burger King to win business for his firm. Defense argues that Burke never requested anything illegal and did not profit from the alleged schemes.
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