A Democratic politician whom the Chicago Tribune regarded as “arguably the most powerful politician in Chicago for decades” was convicted of corruption but got a light sentence from the judge.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall sentenced former Chicago Alderman Edward Burke to two years in federal prison, roughly one-fifth of what prosecutors recommended and far less than the 6.5 years recommended by federal guidelines. He was also fined $2 million. Burke, who is reputedly worth $30 million, was convicted on 13 of 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion.

“Prosecutors argued the actual cost of the crimes Burke was convicted of was $829,525,” WTTW reported.

Burke, who is 80 years old,  “surely won’t be incarcerated for close to the two years he got Monday for getting caught red-handed shaking down businesses needing city permits and approvals,” the Chicago Tribune editorial board opined.

“Clearly, these were not a one-time lapse in judgment,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said regarding the incidents in which Burke acted corruptly. “They were the exact opposite. … He operated as a seasoned professional.”

“The $2 million fine was, on one level, a big bill for Burke to have to pay but also very disturbing to us,” The Tribune stated, pointing out Burke could well afford it. “… it left the impression of a powerful man being permitted to purchase years of freedom, simply because he had sufficient resources to do so.”

Prior to the sentencing, prosecutors accused Burke of abusing his power “again and again and again and again over a period of years, working in his own best interest instead of the public’s. … His conduct hurt not only the specific victims in his case, but all residents of the city of Chicago who have a right to honest government. … That trust will not easily be repaired.”

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“Corruption in the Chicago City Council tears at the fabric of a vital body of local government,” Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Morris Pasqual stated after the sentence. “When an alderman fails to discharge his duties with honesty and integrity, he betrays not only the citizens of Chicago, but his fellow public officials who do their jobs the right way. Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute corruption and hold public officials accountable for violating the public trust.”

U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon on Monday did not immediately rule on a motion from special counsel Jack Smith’s team to add new restrictions on former President Donald Trump that would prevent him from making claims about being unfairly targeted by law enforcement.

In a hearing on Monday, prosecutor David Harbach contended that Trump’s statements about FBI agents who were involved in the probe into how Trump handled classified documents “are dangerous” to investigators who might be called to testify against Trump. Smith had asked for Trump’s bail to be amended to prevent him from making any disparaging comments about law enforcement agents involved in the documents case.

Todd Blanche, Trump’s attorney, contended that the restrictions Smith intended to implement were unclear to others, saying, “Of course President Trump has absolutely no desire for anything bad to happen to law enforcement. It is a critique of President Biden and his Justice Department and it is completely fair and protected political speech.”

Cannon did not rule on Smith’s motion, leaving it in doubt as to whether the issue would be resolved before Thursday’s presidential debate between Trump and President Joe Biden. “Cannon repeatedly suggested that a new restriction was unnecessary when she had already agreed to redact the names of FBI agents from public court filings,” The Washington Post reported.

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On May 21, Trump wrote on Truth Social:

WOW! I just came out of the Biden Witch Hunt Trial in Manhattan, the “Icebox,” and was shown Reports that Crooked Joe Biden’s DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE. NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY. HE IS MENTALLY UNFIT TO HOLD OFFICE — 25TH AMENDMENT!

Harbach said of Trump’s statement, “Saying something like this is beyond irresponsible — it is dangerous.”

The FBI issued its own statement, saying: “The FBI followed standard protocol in this search as we do for all search warrants, which includes a standard policy statement limiting the use of deadly force. No one ordered additional steps to be taken and there was no departure from the norm in this matter.”