Ald. Willie Cochran pleads guilty — finally — to federal fraud charge for misusing campaign funds
Despite some obvious reservations, South Side Ald. Willie Cochran pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony charge of wire fraud for misusing his campaign funds for gambling and other personal expenses.
By state law, Cochran’s felony conviction serves as an official resignation from his City Council seat.
In return for the guilty plea, federal prosecutors dropped 14 of the 15 counts against Cochran, including the most serious charges alleging the alderman shook down businessmen in exchange for his support on deals in his 20th Ward.
The plea agreement calls for Cochran to be sentenced to anywhere from probation to between 1 to 1 ½ years in prison — a significant break on a case that could have landed him behind bars for 10 years or more if he was convicted of all counts at trial.
Read Ald. Willie Cochran’s plea agreement
Despite the lenient outcome, it appeared for awhile that Cochran, who passed up a similar deal in November, might not go through with the guilty plea again. He seemed to stumble at some of the judge’s routine questions, saying he’d been taking medication for anxiety. When asked about his physical health, Cochran paused and said, “Ah, could be better.”
After prosecutors recited the facts contained in the plea agreement — including that Cochran stole $14,000 in charitable donations to the 20th Ward Activities Fund meant to go to poor children and seniors — U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso asked Cochran if what they said was true.
“Uh, for the most part, yes, sir,” Cochran said, prompting his attorney, Christopher Grohman, to ask for a recess so he could confer with his client.
When the case was re-called, Cochran was still hemming about one specific donation referred to in the plea agreement. Alonso said that to clear up any confusion, he wanted Cochran to tell him in his own words what he did wrong. That led to another longer recess. Cochran huddled again with his attorney to prepare a written statement.
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