Daley apologizes for hiring fraud

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is apologizing for the hiring fraud that led to the conviction in federal court of his former streets and sanitation commissioner.

Reading from a prepared statement, Daley said Tuesday he understood the conviction of Al Sanchez does not reflect well on the city and his administration. But Daley added steps will be taken to end misconduct and create a hiring system that is fair.

Sanchez was convicted Monday of using bogus documents and other fraudulent acts in a scheme to load the city payroll with political campaign workers.

Sanchez was a leader of the Hispanic Democratic Organization, a group of hundreds of campaign workers that support Daley, many of whom ended up with jobs in the 4,000-employee Department of Streets and Sanitation.

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Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, http://www.suntimes.com/index