Jurors convict ex-Chicago alderman in bribery case

A jury has convicted a former Chicago alderman of a single count of conspiracy to commit bribery.

Ambrosio Medrano showed no emotion as the verdict was read Monday, sitting at a defense table with his hands folded on his lap.

He faced federal charges accusing him of paying bribes he was told would be given to a Los Angeles official in order to secure a lucrative contract.

Jurors deliberated for about four or five hours before returning with their decision. Two businessmen tried with him were also convicted.

Medrano’s conviction carries a maximum five-year prison sentence.

The case isn’t Medrano’s first run-in with the law. He spent nearly two years in prison after pleading guilty in 1996 in a federal investigation into payoffs to aldermen and other Chicago-area politicians.