Vrdolyak indicted on income tax evasion, impeding IRS

Five years after onetime powerhouse Chicago Ald. Edward R. Vrdolyak walked out of prison, federal authorities have quietly unsealed a new indictment outlining Vrdolyak's role in a scheme to pocket millions from Illinois' nearly two-decade-old settlement with tobacco companies.

The fact that the former 10th ward alderman received money from the settlement isn't news - it was revealed during his original sentencing hearing in 2009. But the new 19-page indictment alleges Vrdolyak was promised $65 million from the settlement even though he "did no work on the Tobacco Lawsuit."

The federal grand jury ultimately charged Vrodlyak, 77, with one count of impeding the IRS and one count of income tax evasion. He faces a maximum prison sentence of eight years for allegedly trying to help his co-defendant, attorney Daniel Soso of Alsip, dodge federal income taxes in connection with the tobacco settlement.

Soso was first indicted in May 2015 for allegedly evading nearly $800,000 in income taxes. He now faces the same counts as Vrodlyak, as well as three counts of willfully failing to file tax returns. He has pleaded not guilty and faces a maximum of 23 years in prison.

Vrdolyak is due to be arraigned Nov. 22 before U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve. His defense attorney, Michael Monico, said Vrodlyak would plead not guilty.

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