CHICAGO (AP) — A prominent Chicago alderman who pleaded not guilty earlier to corruption charges is scheduled to change his plea.
FILE – In this Dec. 23, 2016 file photo, Chicago Alderman Willie Cochran, left, arrives for his arraignment with his attorney Thomas Durkin at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, in Chicago. Alderman Cochran, is scheduled Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, to change his plea to guilty in a federal bribery and wire fraud case. Prosecutors allege that Cochran stole money from a charitable fund, spending some of it at casinos. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP File)
A change-of-plea hearing for Willie B. Cochran is scheduled for Wednesday in Chicago federal court. Filings don’t offer details, including what charges the Democrat might plead guilty to or whether it is part of a plea deal.
Prosecutors allege the 65-year-old stole money from a charitable fund, spending some of it at casinos and using some for his daughter’s college tuition. They say he demanded cash from an attorney for developers in exchange for taking action in his official capacity.
The 15-count indictment handed down in 2016 includes bribery and wire fraud counts.
Defense attorney Christopher Grohman informed the court in August that Cochran was talking to prosecutors about a plea agreement.
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