The Chicago Sun-Times reports:
In the latest development in the ongoing federal investigation of City Hall corruption, a Lake Forest real estate developer has been indicted on federal bribery charges for allegedly steering private legal work to Ald. Ed Burke (14th) in connection with a permit request and tax increment financing deal for a Northwest Side redevelopment project.
Charles Cui, 48, allegedly steered the business to Burke after the city denied a permit for a sign for a retailer at the project site in the 4900 block of West Irving Park Road in the Portage Park neighborhood. The project includes a Binny’s Beverage Depot and a Culver’s restaurant, public records show.
There's more:
Less than two weeks later, Cui signed a contingent fee agreement with Burke’s law firm to do property tax appeal work, the indictment states.
Cui is charged with one count of federal program bribery, one count of making a false statement to the FBI and two counts of interstate commerce to facilitate bribery and official misconduct.
Cui allegedly lied to the FBI when agents talked to him in November 2018 in which he told them he hired Burke’s firm “just because he is a good tax appeal lawyer.”
Alderman Ed Burke will continue to make news in the coming days.
