Ill. Supreme Court removes Vrdolyak from attorneys list

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Supreme Court has removed a former Chicago alderman who pleaded guilty to a felony last year from the list of attorneys licensed to practice law in the state.

The action on Monday came at Edward Vrdolyak's (ver-DOHL'-yaks) request.

Vrdolyak pleaded guilty to mail fraud for his role in a $1.5 million real estate kickback scheme. He was sentenced last month to five years of probation and fined $50,000.

Three members of the court, including Chief Judge Thomas Fitzgerald, didn't take part in Monday's vote. The Chicago Tribune reports Vrdolyak contributed $500 to Fitzgerald in 1999.

Vrdolyak's case was an outgrowth of the federal government's Operation Board Games, which led to fraud and bribery charges against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.