“Fast Eddy” as Edward Vrdolyak was known, got a big break. Prosecutors wanted him to go to prison. The judge thought the case was a matter of “overkill”. U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald was none too happy, saying he strongly disagreed with the judge’s sentencing.
By Jeff Coen
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO — It was supposed to be the day of reckoning for former Chicago Ald. Edward Vrdolyak, the day he at last got sent to prison for an inside deal after what some say was a career built on them.
Instead, Chicago witnessed what seemed like another “Fast Eddie” moment.
Despite being on an undercover recording discussing a plan to collect a bogus finder’s fee in a corrupt real estate sale and pleading guilty last year, Vrdolyak, 71, won’t be spending a single day behind bars. A federal judge who said he thought the prosecution’s case was “serious overkill” rejected a call for a sentence of 3½ years in prison and gave Vrdolyak 5 years of probation Thursday.
Only after U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur left the courtroom did the solemn look on Vrdolyak’s face crack into his trademark grin while he shook hands and hugged family and friends.
For Full Story
