Author: staff

Local

Former Ald. Edward Vrdolyak out of federal prison after five months

Former Chicago Ald. Edward Vrdolyak has been released early from federal prison after serving about five months of his 18-month sentence for a tax-related conviction.Vrdolyak, 84, had been housed at the federal medical prison in Rochester, Minnesota since late November. As of Friday, his location was listed on the U.S. Bureau of Prisons web site at a halfway house in Downers Grove.AdvertisementGiven Vrodlyak’s age and ill health, it’s likely he’s serving out the rest of his sentence on some form of home detention, though still under the jurisdiction of the prison bureau. His sentence is scheduled to conclude in March 2023.A BOP spokesman could not immediately be reached Friday, and Vrodolyak’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.AdvertisementVrdolyak, a former Chicago political powerhouse and twice-convicted felon, reported to prison on Nov. 30 to begin serving his sentence stemming from millions of dollars in legal fees he and a colleague reaped in the state’s massive settlement with the tobacco companies in the 1990s.In January, just a few weeks after his arrival, Vrdolyak’s attorneys filed an emergency petition asking U.S. District Judge Robert Dow to order his release, citing the former alderman’s advanced age, rapidly declining health and susceptibility the surging omicron variant of COVID-19.Prosecutors objected, saying that Vrdolyak was receiving top-notch medical care in prison and that efforts to win release, which began with a request to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons the day after he reported, showed a “remarkable display of white collar criminal privilege.”“The government has no doubt that prison life is tough on the defendant and his family,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu wrote in a filing in January. “But time in prison is not meant to be a walk in the park.”In denying early release in March, Dow noted that Vrdolyak would be eligible to petition the Bureau of Prisons for release to home confinement once he’s completed 25% of his sentence, which would have been mid-April.Vrdolyak pleaded guilty in March 2019 to a tax charge alleging he obstructed an IRS investigation into payments to and from his friend and associate Daniel Soso related to the state’s $9.3 billion settlement with tobacco companies in the late 1990s.In asking for prison time, prosecutors said Vrdolyak had been paid at least $12 million in fees stemming from the settlement even though he did no legal work on the case and hid his involvement from the Illinois attorney general.Vrdolyak’s lawyers argued that his cut from the tobacco deal was a legitimately earned consulting fee paid by a law firm that had sought his expertise and assistance.AdvertisementSoso, 70, a lawyer and former Chicago cop, pleaded guilty in 2019 to one count of income tax evasion for failing to report more than $3 million in income in the deal. He was sentenced in March 2020 to 2 years in prison.jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

Sports

Willson Contreras shares emotional moment with his younger brother William, an Atlanta Braves catcher: ‘No one knows how hard the road is’

ATLANTA — The emotions initially hit Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras around 3 p.m. Thursday.When a call came from younger brother William, he figured the 24-year-old catcher intended to bother him or perhaps was bored. Instead, William informed Willson the Atlanta Braves had recalled him ahead of Thursday night’s series finale against the Cubs at Truist Field.Advertisement“Ever since then I got very emotional,” Willson said after the Cubs’ 5-1 loss.The game represented the first time the Contreras brothers played against each other during their professional baseball careers. The Braves placed backup catcher Manny Piña on the injured list, prompting them to recall William Contreras, who initially made the opening-day roster as the team’s third catcher.AdvertisementCubs manager David Ross and Braves manager Brian Snitker arranged to have the brothers exchange the lineup cards with the umpires at home plate before the game.Remembering how he watched William play Little League produced tears as Willson engaged in a long hug with his brother. Willson tried to discreetly wipe them away before returning to the Cubs dugout.“It was really special for me because everything that we went through to get to where we are right now as a family …” Willson trailed off.He paused, fighting back more tears.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.“No one knows how hard the road is to get to the big leagues,” he continued. “I’m trying to set an example for him to follow and that’s what made me proud the most.”Willson, 29, was close with William growing up in Venezuela, and that strong bond persisted amid their journeys through the minors to Major League Baseball.[ [Don’t miss] Willson Contreras’ bigger Chicago Cubs leadership role is fueled by years of listening — and putting in work ]Ross doesn’t have brothers and couldn’t directly relate to the Contrerases’ moment, but he understands what it means to share a special experience with family. He made sure a team photographer was on the field to capture the exchange for the brothers and their family.“The emotion that you saw on his face says a lot,” Ross said. “As much as we compete against each other and want to win every second, the moment you get to enjoy family dynamics and appreciate what a special place it is to be in the major leagues, I think that’s awesome.”AdvertisementTheir unconditional support over the years included Willson wearing his brother’s No. 24 Braves jersey to Game 3 of the World Series last year and cheering him on en route to the team’s championship. They each have a World Series ring after William earned one for appearing in 52 regular-season games with the Braves in 2021. He also got one at-bat in the National League Division Series versus the Milwaukee Brewers.The Cubs and Braves play their final three-game series June 17-19 at Wrigley Field.“I always recall those moments when we were growing up together back home, just dreaming to get signed by somebody and then driven to get to the big leagues,” Willson said. “And I’m crying because I’m proud of the job we put together to get to where we are.”