CHICAGO (AP) — A prominent Chicago alderman has been indicted on charges that he extorted money from a liquor store owner and pilfered funds from a local government activities fund to pay for gambling and his daughter’s college tuition.
An indictment filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges Willie Cochran with 15 counts. That includes 11 counts of wire fraud, two of federal program bribery and two counts of extortion. Combined, if found guilty, he would technically face a maximum 280 years in prison.
The Chicago Democrat is an outspoken member of Chicago’s City Council. He served as a police officer for over 20 years and retired in 2003. He was recently elected to a third term on the council.
A message left for his attorney Wednesday morning wasn’t immediately returned.
Like BlackAmericaWeb.com on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
(Photo Source: ABC 7 Chicago)
