Records show feds' investigation of Chicago Alderman Burke broader than previously known

When FBI agents raided the City Hall offices of Ald. Edward M. Burke on Nov. 29, they were seeking a wide range of documents that shows the scope of their investigation into Burke was broader than previously known, records indicate.

Burke faces one charge of attempted extortion for allegedly trying to shake down a Burger King franchise owner for business for his private law firm while the company needed city permits for a restaurant location in Burke’s 14th Ward.

But FBI agents were also looking for any records that would show whether Burke traded votes in the City Council to obtain business for his law firm, Klafter & Burke, which handles property tax appeals for many companies that do business with City Hall.

Agents also wanted documents showing whether Burke, Chicago’s longest-serving alderman, was trying to gain patronage jobs, or other work or benefits for his personal associates, according to a copy of the five-page attachment to the search warrant released Wednesday night by the City Council Committee on Finance.

Read more: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/chicago-alderman-ed-burke-federal-investigation-city-hall-office-raid-search-warrant/