A federal jury on Thursday began deliberating the fate of a politically connected Chicago businessman accused of corrupting the political process by attempting to pay off two sitting state legislators.
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Later this year, former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke is scheduled to go on trial on racketeering charges, followed in April by Madigan himself, who is also charged with racketeering conspiracy. Weiss’ attorneys have argued Weiss was paying Arroyo as a legitimate consultant for his business, and that trying to enlist another politician’s help is not a crime.Wednesday, however, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Franzblau said Weiss can try and call the purpose for the payments whatever he wants, but it’s just putting “lipstick on a pig.”
In asking Arroyo, “What’s in it for me,” Link left it open to interpretation, Franzblau said. But instead of advancing some kind of legitimate political agenda, “Arroyo switches immediately into corruption mode,” the prosecutor said.
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