Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file photo
A political operative with ties to indicted Ald. Edward Burke (14th) and the late state Sen. Martin Sandoval pleaded guilty Tuesday to concealing material information from the FBI.
In doing so, Rudy Acosta Sr., 70, admitted that he made cash payments in order to sway Sandoval, and that he “facilitated bribe payments” to another unnamed official — information he acknowledged he hid from the feds between 2017 and 2019 as he “provided information regarding other individuals’ involvement in criminal activity.”
Acosta also confirmed during a hearing Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland that he has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in exchange for a potential break at sentencing. As it stands, Acosta faces a likely prison sentence of no more than six months behind bars.