"Corruption Trial of Ex-Ald. Ed Burke Reveals Questionable Campaign Fund Payments"

Former Chicago Alderman Edward Burke, who is set to go on trial for federal racketeering charges, has used campaign funds to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in "consulting" fees to one of his co-defendants, Peter Andrews Jr. Andrews, who is also charged in the case, used the funds to cover his legal fees. While campaign funds can be used for legal costs, it is unusual to see funds sent to another co-defendant and classified as "consulting." Burke's campaign fund has also sent $220,000 directly to Andrews for "consulting" since Burke's office was raided five years ago. Both Burke and Andrews have pleaded not guilty to the charges.