Vrdolyak pleads guilty to tax evasion

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) - Former alderman and attorney Ed Vrdolyak pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of federal tax evasion.

In a plea deal, Vrdolyak admitted to helping another lawyer, co-defendant Daniel Soso, evade federal income taxes from 1993 to 2004, and again from 2008 to 2013, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. The income in question came from attorney’s fees received in connection with a $9.2 billion settlement between the State of Illinois and several tobacco companies

Vrdolyak helped Soto conceal $262,854 from the IRS in order to help Soto avoid paying taxes and assessments, prosecutors said. He later paid about $170,242 to Soso instead of remitting it to the IRS.

Soso, 67, pleaded guilty last month to one count of tax evasion.

Both men face up to five years in prison for their charges. Vrdolyak’s sentencing is set for July 23, while Soso’s is set for June 25.