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Trump's Chicago tax lawyer thru May 2018, Ed Burke, charged with attempted extortion.
Last edited Fri Jan 4, 2019, 08:40 PM - Edit history (8)
Remember when the FBI raided the offices of this guy? And they've had his phones under surveillance since May 2017 -- a full year before he resigned from representing Trump.
Now Burke, a Democratic Alderman and attorney who got Trump $14 million in tax breaks on the Chicago Tower project, is being charged with extortion.
I wonder if he has anything BIG to offer up in a possible cooperation agreement?
Link to tweet
Garrett M. GraffVerified account
@vermontgmg
Garrett M. Graff Retweeted Wendy Widom
Remember Burke was Trump's *tax* lawyer for years. "Oh, while you're here for your extortion case, some SDNY prosecutors and a Mr. Robert Mueller would like to talk with you about a deal...."
@vermontgmg
Garrett M. Graff Retweeted Wendy Widom
Remember Burke was Trump's *tax* lawyer for years. "Oh, while you're here for your extortion case, some SDNY prosecutors and a Mr. Robert Mueller would like to talk with you about a deal...."
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-alderman-ed-burke-federal-court-case/
When two Burger King executives sought his support for a remodeling job of a fast-food location in his ward in 2017, Chicago’s most powerful alderman took them out for a swanky lunch at the Beverly Country Club — telling them all about his private law firm’s tax work.
Then, when they didn’t steer business to Klafter & Burke, a ward employee offered to play “hardball.” And Burke allegedly gave the green light.
That’s according to a bombshell 37-page criminal complaint unsealed Thursday that charged the powerhouse alderman with attempted extortion. After serving on the City Council for nearly half a century, Burke faced a federal judge Thursday, accused of using his position as alderman to try to steer business toward his private firm.
Burke, 75, now faces a maximum of 20 years in prison following an investigation that involved recorded calls on Burke’s cellphone and apparent federal surveillance of the alderman.
Then, when they didn’t steer business to Klafter & Burke, a ward employee offered to play “hardball.” And Burke allegedly gave the green light.
That’s according to a bombshell 37-page criminal complaint unsealed Thursday that charged the powerhouse alderman with attempted extortion. After serving on the City Council for nearly half a century, Burke faced a federal judge Thursday, accused of using his position as alderman to try to steer business toward his private firm.
Burke, 75, now faces a maximum of 20 years in prison following an investigation that involved recorded calls on Burke’s cellphone and apparent federal surveillance of the alderman.
https://wgntv.com/2019/01/03/a-look-at-the-complaint-filed-against-burke/
It’s now clear, the feds have been listening in on Burke’s phone calls since at least May of 2017.
In one call setting up a meeting with the developer, Burke is heard saying “We were going to talk about the real estate tax representation and you were going to have somebody get in touch with me so we can expedite your permits."
That was nearly a year and half before FBI agents raided Burke’s City Hall and ward offices.
In one call setting up a meeting with the developer, Burke is heard saying “We were going to talk about the real estate tax representation and you were going to have somebody get in touch with me so we can expedite your permits."
That was nearly a year and half before FBI agents raided Burke’s City Hall and ward offices.
The 38 page complaint is at the WGNTV link above.
From June 8, 2018:
https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/the-donald-and-the-alderman-break-up-burke-no-longer-doing-tax-work-for-trump/
The powerful Chicago alderman’s small law firm had worked for Trump for 12 years, persuading Cook County officials to cut the property taxes on the president’s namesake downtown skyscraper by a total of more than $14 million.
But Burke announced his breakup with Trump in letters filed last month with the Cook County courts and the Illinois State Property Tax Appeal Board. He wrote that “irreconcilable differences” have led his firm to stop representing Trump’s company and step aside in five current cases that seek refunds of millions of dollars in property taxes the president’s company has paid.
But Burke announced his breakup with Trump in letters filed last month with the Cook County courts and the Illinois State Property Tax Appeal Board. He wrote that “irreconcilable differences” have led his firm to stop representing Trump’s company and step aside in five current cases that seek refunds of millions of dollars in property taxes the president’s company has paid.
https://chicago.suntimes.com/?post_type=cst_article&p=1605053&utm_campaign=ChicagoSunTimes&utm_content=1546635503&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Friday morning that Burke was stepping down from his position as chairman of the Finance Committee.
Should Burke win re-election, he’ll be part of a dramatically different City Council — becoming one of 50 aldermen with no title.
On Wednesday, Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia endorsed 28-year-old Tanya Patiño to unseat Burke, Chicago’s most powerful and longest-serving alderman. Patino is the girlfriend of Aaron Ortiz, the Garcia-backed political newcomer who defeated Burke’s brother, State Rep. Dan Burke (D-Chicago), in a primary race dominated by Edward Burke’s property tax reduction work for the riverfront hotel and condominium tower bearing the name of President Donald Trump.
Burke has run unopposed in 10 of the last 11 elections. He now has four challengers and has been targeted since his brother’s primary defeat.
Should Burke win re-election, he’ll be part of a dramatically different City Council — becoming one of 50 aldermen with no title.
On Wednesday, Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia endorsed 28-year-old Tanya Patiño to unseat Burke, Chicago’s most powerful and longest-serving alderman. Patino is the girlfriend of Aaron Ortiz, the Garcia-backed political newcomer who defeated Burke’s brother, State Rep. Dan Burke (D-Chicago), in a primary race dominated by Edward Burke’s property tax reduction work for the riverfront hotel and condominium tower bearing the name of President Donald Trump.
Burke has run unopposed in 10 of the last 11 elections. He now has four challengers and has been targeted since his brother’s primary defeat.
9 replies
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Back then there was fast Eddie (V.) & there was slow Eddie - that was Burke 
Figures he’d be a friend of stupid trump. His brother has history also
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http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/342.html
