CHICAGO (WLS) — Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke is attempting to have his sentence lessened for his corruption convictions.
Burke was discovered responsible of federal racketeering and bribery costs within the fall of 2023 and began serving his two-year jail sentence final September.
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It is unclear what grounds Burke’s attorneys have argued, however he could also be hoping for a sympathetic ear from President Donald Trump, who’s additionally confronted federal prosecution.
For the previous practically 130 days, a federal minimal safety jail in Thomson, Illinois, 150 miles west of Chicago, has been residence to the once-powerful former dean of the Chicago Metropolis Council.
However now, days into the second Trump presidency, ABC7 has realized Burke is searching for a shorter jail sentence.
His request for commutation on the U.S. Division of Justice clemency web site was listed as “pending” Wednesday, which means the petition is underneath evaluate.
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“I might suspect he’s going off of this was a witch hunt and that the Division of Justice of the final 4 years went on political witch hunts,” prison protection lawyer Anthony Burch mentioned.
Burch isn’t concerned in Burke’s case, however mentioned the now 81-year-old man’s age and well being are possible grounds his lawyer is arguing for shortening his two-year sentence.
Burke was convicted in December 2023 on a variety of corruption costs for utilizing his official energy to steer enterprise to his non-public legislation agency. His personal phrases had been used to convict him.
However in issues of commutation, reasonably than pardon, that proof may matter little.
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“You are principally simply saying… ‘I could not deserve this, however please give me one thing much less. Give me mercy. Give me grace,'” Burch mentioned.
The everyday commutation course of may take months or years, however President Trump’s DOJ may expedite evaluate.
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