Update: Chicago Alderman Looted Charity Funds, Withdrew $25K Near Casinos Where He Gambled — Indictment

CHICAGO — Alderman Willie Cochran looted charity funds, withdrawing $25,000 near casinos where he gambled and spending another $5,000 on his daughter’s college tuition, according to a federal indictment filed Wednesday.

The 15-count indictment against the South Side alderman also accuses him of taking bribes from a real estate lawyer and a liquor store owner.

Cochran “corruptly solicited and demanded, and accepted and agreed to accept” a check for $1,500 from the unidentified attorney in exchange for his influence in allocating funds from a program to rehabilitate vacant foreclosed homes, the indictment said.

The unidentified liquor store owner paid Cochran $3,000 cash so he would get the city’s municipal code amended to allow an additional package goods license in his ward on Cottage Grove Avenue, according to the indictment. Cochran sponsored the amendment, the indictment said, and it passed April 15, 2015.

The charity money Cochran stole came out of the 20th Ward Activities Fund, the indictment said.

Cochran “misled donors by misrepresenting, and causing to be misrepresented, that money contributions to the 20th Ward Activities Fund would be used for charitable endeavors to help families and children living in the 20th Ward, including a summer back-to-school picnic, a Valentine's Day event for senior citizens, and events during the holiday season each November and December when, in reality, (he) used a significant portion of the money contributed by donors to the 20th Ward Activities Fund for his own personal use and expenses,” the indictment said.

Cochran also allegedly solicited contributions that were to pay for school supplies, children’s clothing, and Christmas and Thanksgiving activities.

photo via 20thward.com