Crime & Safety
Ex-Alderman 'Fast Eddie' Vrdolyak Accused of Tax Evasion: Indictment
The indictment, which was unsealed Tuesday, also charges Vrdolyak with impeding an IRS investigation.
CHICAGO, IL — Former 10th Ward Alderman Edward Vrdolyak is under federal scrutiny again following an indictment for income tax evasion and impeding an IRS investigation, according to Crain's Chicago Business.
The charges were filed Nov. 3, but they were revealed Tuesday after the indictment was unsealed, the report stated.
Vrdolyak, along with Chicago lawyer Daniel Soso, is accused of wrongly benefitting from the $9.2 billion settlement between Illinois and the tobacco companies years ago, Crain's reports. This indictment supersedes one filed against Soso last year, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Vrdolyak was not identified by name— he was referred to as "Individual A" — in that filing, which accused Soso of failing to pay almost $800,000 in income taxes, the report stated.
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Michael Monico, the former alderman's lawyer, told Crain's and the Sun-Times his client is innocent. Vrdolyak is expected to plead not guilty to the charges during an arraignment, which will most likely be scheduled for next week.
RELATED: 'Fast Eddie' Identified as 'Individual A' in Chicago Attorney's Tax Evasion Indictment
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Vrdolyak was one of the engines that ran Chicago's political machine in the late 20th century, and he still maintains some behind-the-scenes influence despite being retired from public, political life, according to Crain's. He picked up the "Fast Eddie" nickname during his City Council days thanks to a reputation of political wheeling and dealing that pushed the boundaries of legality, the Sun-Times reports.
Currently, Vrdolyak runs a private practice law firm with offices in downtown Chicago, the South Side and Tinley Park.
This isn't the first time Vrdolyak has battled federal charges. In 2007, a grand jury indicted Vrdolyak on bribery and mail and wire fraud charges. He was sentenced to 10 months in prision in 2010 after hammering out a deal with prosecutors and pleading guilty to a lesser charge.
More via Crain's Chicago Business and the Chicago Sun-Times
Edward Vrdolyak (photo via Patch archive)
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