Letters of the law, by Fast Eddie Vrdolyak

You can still call him “Fast Eddie."

The once high and mighty former Chicago Alderman Edward R. Vrdolyak got off easy for the second time from a federal judge.

Federal prosecutors had asked that Eddie V be sentenced to 41 months in prison for his part in a crooked real estate deal. District Judge Matthew Kennelly handed Vrdolyak just 10 months less than a quarter of the penalty that the G wanted.

This new but still lenient sentence came after outrage and an appeal of Fast Eddie's first sentence by a different judge. Initially it was Judge Milton Shadur who had sentenced Vrdolyak to a few years probation and no prison time at all.

Judge Shadur had been overwhelmed by letters from Vrdolyak supporters and prominent people who had been helped by Fast Eddie over the years. There weren't as many letters as court bailiffs dumped on the judge's bench in Miracle of 34th Street but, after all, those letters were to Santa Claus.

“We do not sentence stick figures, Shadur said at the time. “We do not sentence them because of what people might think about them.

Judge Shadur must have been referring to Vrdolyak's long standing reputation as a slimy political deal-maker and race-baiting alderman.

Then Shadur turned around and sentenced Fast Eddie the first time to a slap on his smooth, manicured hands precisely because of what people thought about him. Certain people. Friends of Vrdolyak's who had written letters on his behalf.

On appeal, the no-prison punishment was determined to be too slick even for Fast Eddie and the case was returned for a new sentence.

The second federal judge to sentence Fast Eddie, Judge Matthew Kennelly, read the very same letters from Vrdolyak's family members, friends and associates.

And the letters had a similar effect on Kennelly. In a half-hour prelude last week, he said that he had to balance the severity of the crime with Vrdolyak's history of helping people in need.

Kennelly held up the same 50 letters from people Vrdolyak helped that Shadur had used. Some were predictable, from his wife, sons, other relatives, fellow lawyers, clients, office receptionist, etc...

Then there were these:

“…he has often told me, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.' As a result, I have tried to make this a cornerstone of my life…it is impossible to tally the number of people that will be affected by his removal from their lives, even if for one day…Sincerely, Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears)

“I have now put myself in a situation where my career is on track and I can take care of my family. My relationship with Mr. Vrdolyak had a direct result in me turning around my life…Sincerely, Terry ‘Tank' Johnson (formerly Chicago Bears, now Cincinnati Bengals.)

“Please let Ed Vrdolyak's admission mean something in a world of denial. Please let his acceptance of responsibility validate his care for each generation of his family. Sister M. Paul McCaughey, on Archdiocese of Chicago letterhead. McCaughey was principal of Marian Catholic High School and is now superintendent of Catholic schools in the Chicago Archdiocese.

“Most Chicagoans were unaware of the many times that Ed and Mayor Harold Washington met & worked together to instill Peace (sic) in the city. I was aware because I was a close friend of both Ed and Harold. Father George Clements (former Pastor of Holy Angels Church.)

“Ed and his wife, Denise, hosted my husband and my rehearsal dinner within a 2 week time frame as a result of unfortunate restaurant cancellation that occurred. We had nowhere to go…Ed welcomed into his home 100 strangers, cooked and footed the bill with no rhyme, no reason, no motive. Just a man with a big heart…Sincerely, Elizabeth ‘Liz' Doody Gorman (Cook County Commissioner.)

“Mr. Vrdolyak supported the Hoffman Estates Foundation which dispenses money to local individuals and families in need. He also took a special interest in the local shelter for abused women and children…he has repeatedly demonstrated his efforts to do good…Sincerely, William D. McLeod, Mayor, Village of Hoffman Estates (on official Hoffman Estates letterhead.)

In court records, Vrdolyak's lawyers stated that “The letters bespeak not of ‘checkbook charity,' but of multiple instances of genuine kindness and hands-on help in long-term relationships for people in need.

Prosecutors said: “What is evident from Vrdolyak's letters is that he is both wealthy and someone who enjoys great power and influence in politics, business, and law in Chicago. As such, he had the ability to dispense favors to people he chose.

If Vrdolyak's few dozen letters derailed the lengthy sentence that prosecutors wanted, you have to wonder whether the government should have submitted its own collection of letters…from Chicagoans who never bought into Fast Eddie's generosity.

Chuck Goudie, whose column appears each Monday, is the chief investigative reporter at ABC 7 News in Chicago. The views in this column are his own and not those of WLS-TV. He can be reached by e-mail at chuckgoudie@gmail.com and followed at twitter.com/ChuckGoudie.