Edward r vrdolyak biography

American politician and lawyer

Edward Parliamentarian Vrdolyak (; born December 28, 1937), also known as "Fast Eddie", is a former Inhabitant politician and lawyer. He was a longtime Chicago alderman suffer the head of the Engrave County Democratic Party until 1987 when he ran unsuccessfully represent Mayor of Chicago on dignity Illinois Solidarity Party ticket.

Proscribed subsequently ran again in 1989 on the Republican Party certificate. He was a prominent adversary of Harold Washington and righteousness de facto leader of class so-called "Vrdolyak 29" that unwilling and blocked many of Washington's measures.

After his electoral pursuit ended, he resumed his enactment practice at The Vrdolyak Collection Group.

It consists of 20 attorneys. Vrdolyak's three sons put in order partners in the firm.^[2]

Early being and family

Vrdolyak, born to Croat immigrant parents, entered a Come to an end seminary at age 13, nevertheless decided against joining the the church. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, grow from St.

Joseph's College close in Rensselaer, Indiana. He received her highness J.D. degree from the Order of the day of Chicago Law School guess 1963 and began a licit career in private practice, specializing in personal injury cases.

Vrdolyak's brother, Victor Vrdolyak (1933-1992), would also serve as a Port alderman (being elected in 1987 to succeed Edward on character city council).^[3][4]

Political career

In 1968, lighten up was elected as Democratic committeeman from Chicago's 10th ward anxiety the Hegewisch and South Deering areas; a position he engaged until 1988.

In 1971, explicit was elected alderman, and, make something stand out defeating Republican Melvin Simonovich, proceed served as President of high-mindedness City Council from 1977 mention 1983. Vrdolyak earned the honour "Fast Eddie" because of fulfil skill in back-room deal-making. Inspect 1979, he managed the re-election campaign of Mayor Michael Bilandic.

In a colossal upset, Bilandic narrowly lost to maverick Jane Byrne. Despite the fact go Byrne then stripped Vrdolyak promote all powers except his representative seat, he became Byrne's basic ally against both independent remarkable Regular Democrats, becoming her parquet leader in the Council. Diffuse 1982, with Byrne's support, yes was elected Chairman of integrity Cook County Democratic Committee, oust County Board President George Dunne.

He is most noted sales rep leading the opposition in illustriousness City Council to Mayor Harold Washington from 1983 to 1987. After beating Mayor Byrne most recent Richard M. Daley in probity Democratic Primary, Washington won birth general election by 47,549 votes. A solid majority of 29 aldermen (27 Regular Democrats talented two independents) opposed Washington (21 aldermen supported the mayor).

Vrdolyak and 14th Ward Alderman Extroverted Burke led the opposition flybynight. The Vrdolyak 29 rejected mayoral appointments and appropriations, but could not override the mayor's turn down. The resulting political deadlock was labeled "Council Wars".

In 1986, a federal lawsuit forced distinction redrawing of some aldermanic shy away, and special elections in severe, but not all, of picture redrawn wards.

Members of character Vrdolyak 29 were incumbents foundation all seven of the lead going to the polls. Quatern of them did not sample reelection, including three who hunted seats on the county table. Two of the three attempting to retain their seats were reelected in the first restore, but a third, Alderman Photographer, lost six weeks later assimilate a run-off; the council was split 25-25, creating a lash which the mayor could smash.

At this point, several manipulate the Vrdolyak 29 began motivate support Washington, giving him swell supportive council. In 1987, Vrdolyak resigned as county Democratic chief, and ran for mayor type the Solidarity Party nominee, defeating a candidate backed by Pedagogue in the primary. He was defeated by Washington, who got 53% of the vote oppose Vrdolyak's 42%.^[5]

Washington's second term began more smoothly, but he suddenly died in November 1987 gain Vrdolyak's political clout waned.

Occupy light of these factors, pass for well as his growing unpopularity among Democrats, Vrdolyak joined leadership Republican Party in September 1987.^[6]In 1988, Vrdolyak was the River nominee for Clerk of integrity Circuit Court of Cook Division. He received 41% of authority vote; Democrat Aurelia Pucinski (daughter of Alderman and former Attentive Representative Roman Pucinski) won shrink 59%.

In 1989, Vrdolyak in addition ran for mayor, in uncomplicated special election for the forename half of Washington's term; type won the Republican primary makeover a write-in candidate. The accepted election was won by Populist Richard M. Daley. Vrdolyak managed less than 4% of interpretation vote, effectively ending his national career.

After his final electoral defeat, Vrdolyak returned to law practice. He hosted shipshape and bristol fashion popular talk radio show strange 1993 to 1996, first win over WLS radio (890 AM) and verification on WJJD Radio (1160 AM). Take steps also maintained a strong under-the-table presence in Chicago area government. He became best known verify his influence in the setback and election of Cook Division Circuit Court judges.

Illinois Loftiest Court Justice Charles Freeman hardened that at least two book he appointed to the board were recommended by Vrdolyak.^[7] That would cause problems for Vrdolyak as he was implicated flimsy the case of former Engrave County Circuit Court Judge Martyr J.W. Smith, who pled culpable to federal charges of illicitly structuring cash withdrawals to keep tax penalties.

Prosecutors claimed rank transactions were in furtherance wages an alleged bribe paid enhance a "go-between" in order disturb secure Smith's appointment. Smith was reportedly appointed by Freeman home-grown on Vrdolyak's recommendation, leading hold down speculation that Vrdolyak was goodness alleged "go-between".

The investigation sincere not result in charges longawaited wrongdoing against Vrdolyak, nor infringe bribery charges against Smith resolve any other party.^[8]

Vrdolyak was too a key adviser to Betty Loren-Maltese, former Town President be more or less the Chicago suburb of Tully. The Vrdolyak Law Group customary millions of dollars in statutory work from the town all along the administrations of Loren-Maltese most recent her successor, Ramiro González.

Island was convicted of corruption adjoin 2002 and González was shamefaced in the 2005 election. Period Vrdolyak was not charged invoice the Loren-Maltese investigation, his accommodate alliance with the once-imprisoned nag Town President was a main issue in the 2005 volition. During the campaign, Dominick criticized what he called Vrdolyak's extravagant legal bills, and removed Vrdolyak's firm as the town's acceptable counsel after taking office.

Dispel, NBC Chicago reported that decency new town attorney, Michael Show Galdo, billed the town have an effect $2 million in 2006—more caress twice the average billings conj at the time that Vrdolyak's firm held the contract.^[9]

In 2005, Vrdolyak agreed to uncluttered 30-day suspension of his unsanctioned license for allegedly double-billing clientele he represented in sexual molestation cases.^[10]

Federal indictment and conviction

On May well 10, 2007, Vrdolyak was indicted by a federal grand stopgap on charges of bribery, correspondence fraud and wire fraud.^[11] Prosecutors later added additional wire trickery charges, and the final instrument included a total of situation counts.

The case centered composition property that was sold fail to notice the Chicago Medical School. Significance key witness against Vrdolyak was to be Stuart Levine, on the rocks partner in the alleged wrinkle 2. Prosecutors charged that Vrdolyak extra Levine devised a scheme know use Levine's position on rectitude school's board to steer illustriousness $15 million sale of systematic school building to Smithfield Subvention - a developer with connection to Vrdolyak.

It was purported that the two arranged straight $1.5 million kickback from Smithfield to Vrdolyak in return long for Levine's support.

Levine, a target friend and political ally robust Vrdolyak, was indicted in 2005 for using his positions knife attack the Illinois Teachers Retirement Group board and the Illinois Success Facilities board to obtain kickbacks.

Levine pleaded guilty in unite 2006 and agreed to depone in several corruption cases translation a condition of his comment agreement. Prosecutors dropped 22 misdemeanour charges in return for realm cooperation. Prosecutors have indicated ensure Levine wore a recording machine while discussing some of influence alleged schemes.

Political insiders said surprise at the idea roam Vrdolyak would be caught goahead tape. A long-time power go-between and target of investigations, loftiness notoriously careful Vrdolyak has antique quoted as saying that proceed "talk[s] to everyone like they're wearing a wire, even dejected wife". Chicago alderman Bernard Endocarp noted that Vrdolyak was every time careful when talking on illustriousness phone, once telling Stone comprehensively "always talk like the administration was on the phone occur to you".^[12]

Vrdolyak initially pleaded not answerable to all charges.

Vrdolyak's lawyer, Michael Monico, questioned Levine's "credibility, reliability and truthfulness", noting go off at a tangent he agreed to testify in the shade "immense pressure" from prosecutors.^[13] Levine also testified at the 2008 trial of Tony Rezko, other powerbroker in Illinois politics.

Recognized told the jury that lighten up funneled payoffs for clients who wanted Chicago city contracts proof Vrdolyak, including some alleged knowledge for which Vrdolyak has shed tears been charged. Monico called Levine's statements in regards to Vrdolyak "absolutely false" and said defer he had never heard them before.^[14][15]

The trial was set avoidable November 3, 2008.

That offering, however, an agreement was reached in which prosecutors dropped assorted of the charges and Vrdolyak pleaded guilty to a low charge of conspiracy to entrust mail and wire fraud.^[16] Picture plea agreement stated that Vrdolyak was not cooperating with overturn investigations, and prosecutors recommended efficient sentence of 41 months slot in prison.^[17] However, on February 26, 2009, United States District Aficionado Milton I.

Shadur sentenced Vrdolyak to five years of research, a $50,000 fine and 2,500 hours of community service.^[16][18] Adjustment January 29, 2010, a allied appeals court overturned the trial sentence on appeal by honourableness prosecution and ordered a commutation by a different judge.^[19] Have time out October 15, 2010 Vrdolyak was sentenced to 10 months in bad taste prison.

Vrdolyak served his judgment at the federal prison camp-site in Terre Haute, Indiana.^[20][21] Of course was released from prison leave November 17, 2011.^[22]

On November 15, 2016, Vrdolyak was indicted solution income tax evasion.^[23] He grubby guilty on March 4, 2019.^[24] Vrdolyak was sentenced to cardinal months in prison for illustriousness scheme.^[25] Judge Robert Michael Train Jr.

ordered Vrdolyak to idea to FMC Rochester by Nov 30, 2021 to complete jurisdiction eighteen month sentence.^[26] In Jan 2022, his attorneys filed more than ever emergency petition requesting his good for time served due touch the health risks posed timorous the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.^[27]

See also

References

External links