Chicago alderman indicted on extortion, other charges

Cochran is charged with 11 counts of wire fraud, and two counts each of federal program bribery and extortion. A conviction on just one count of wire fraud carries a maximum 20-year prison term, though guideline calculations typically lead to much lower sentences.

Cochran’s lawyer, Thomas Durkin, said by phone from New York that he hasn’t had the chance to go through all the case documents. But he added: “The alderman has an outstanding reputation. … He has been a leader in the community for years and we intend to fight these charges vigorously.”

The accusations sound familiar to locals, who have seen many of their politicians face corruption charges over the years. Since the 1970s, nearly three dozen aldermen have been convicted. So many went to prison, one joke went that when they saw each other behind bars, they’d holler “quorum call!”

Cochran, who just won a third term, was first elected to the council in 2007 to represent a ward on the city’s South Side. His predecessor, Arenda Troutman, pleaded guilty to federal charges that she solicited donations from developers who wanted to do business in the ward.

Cochran, a former Chicago police officer, was outspoken on public safety issues. He retired from law enforcement in 2003 after over 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon said in a statement from his Chicago office that “our democratic system suffers” when public officials use their power for personal gain. He added: “We will continue to vigorously investigate and prosecute any elected official who attempts to use their office to enrich themselves.”

According to the indictment, Cochran sought donations for the charitable fund, called the 20th Ward Activities Fund, by telling potential contributors that it would help needy families by feeding some and helping buy winter coats and school supplies. He was the sole signatory on a fund bank account.

The indictment also says Cochran demanded thousands of dollars from the liquor store owner in return for later pushing an amendment through the council in 2015 allowing the issuance of licenses for such stores. He also allegedly solicited hundreds of dollars from a lawyer for companies seeking to develop land with help from a federally funded stabilization program. Neither the store owner nor the lawyer is named in the indictment, and there was no indication that either would face charges.

Federal authorities said the investigation was sparked by information provided by former Chicago Legislative Inspector General Faisal Khan, whose position was eliminated by the council last year.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel declined to comment on the case. Instead, he said public officials shouldn’t use the office for personal gain.

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Follow Sophia Tareen on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sophiatareen and Michael Tarm at https://twitter.com/mtarm

Sophia Tareen And Michael Tarm, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Chicago alderman indicted on extortion, other charges

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