Chicago City Wire

Willie Cochran, 20th Ward alderman, is expected to plead guilty to corruption charges that involve the alleged theft of charity donations to fund his daughter’s college tuition payments and weekend getaways at Indiana casinos, according to the Illinoispolicy.org.

In December 2016, Cochran was served a 15-count indictment that included 11 counts of wire fraud, two of federal program bribery and the aforementioned two counts of extortion. The former Chicago police officer-turned-alderman is accused of extorting business owners in exchange for political support and stealing funds from the 20th Ward Activities Fund, a charity set up to aid needy families and children in the South Side.

If Cochran does plead guilty, he will join a group of 34 aldermen dating back to 1972 convicted while in office. Three of the last four aldermen from the 20th Ward were indicted while in office on corruption charges.

Christopher Grohman | Duane Morris LLP

The IPI reported the Cochran’s attorneys had unsuccessfully tried to get the prosecutor to drop charges of bribery and extortion.

Cochran was a well-known figure to investigators even before the 2016 indictments were handed out. He was the target of a federal investigation after he allegedly paid himself at least $115,000 from campaign funds.

Cochran’s attorney, Christopher Grohman, explained a plea agreement was in the works with prosecutors, but that the provisions of that agreement were not yet final.  

The agreement is expected to avoid a trial.