October trial date set for Ald Patrick Daley Thompson in federal tax case chicagotribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from chicagotribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The new revelation came after Thompson’s defense attorney, Chris Gair, again blasted the feds’ prosecution of Thompson and pushed for a trial as soon as this fall.
The new revelation came after Thompson’s defense attorney, Chris Gair, again blasted the feds’ prosecution of Thompson and pushed for a trial as soon as this fall.
CHICAGO â Alderman Patrick Daley Thompson, grandson and nephew of two legendary Chicago mayors, pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges stemming from an investigation into the collapse of a clout-heavy bank in his familyâs longtime Bridgeport neighborhood.
Thompson, 51, entered his plea during an arraignment by telephone before U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama, who set a recognizance bond for Thompson.
The alderman spoke only briefly during the 30-minute hearing, answering, âYes your honorâ when asked if he was prepared to go forward with the arraignment remotely.
Meanwhile, Thompsonâs lawyer, Chris Gair, made several inferences to the weakness of the charges and said he was seeking a speedy trial to clear the aldermanâs name.
Sun-Times file
Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson pleaded not guilty to federal criminal charges related to a failed Bridgeport bank during an unusually contentious arraignment Thursday.
Lawyers argued during the hearing held by telephone before U.S. District Judge Franklin Valderrama about whether Thompson should have to turn his passport over to the government while awaiting trial.
The condition is routine for defendants charged in federal court. But defense attorney Chris Gair called it “just punitive.”
Gair also asked the judge about a trial date after repeatedly saying he wants to clear Thompson’s name.
Meanwhile, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Netols told the judge Thompson had declined to be interviewed by court personnel ahead of the hearing, telling the judge the alderman “doesn’t want to participate in the process” and “made your job more difficult.”