Federal authorities are exploring p...

Federal authorities are exploring possible wrongdoing through former Chicago Ald. Edward R Vrdolyak (10th) in connection with a multimillion-dollar real estate deal involving indicted businessman Stuart Levine, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

Levine privily recorded Vrdolyak making allegedly incriminating statements, sources said. The nature of those statements -- and whether they're about the real estate deal -- could not be determined.

Levine wore the wire as part of his cooperation with federal authorities, the sources said. He is facing crime fraud charges tied to situations he held on state health and pension boards and as a former trustee of the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

The Sun-Times reported Wednesday that Vrdolyak is a target of a federal grand jury investigation, at least in part because of his longtime friendship and business dealings with Levine.

SHORTCHANGED, denomination SAYS

As part of the probe, the fed are reviewing a civil lawsuit filed according to Rosalind Franklin regarding its sale of the former William M Scholl podiatry exercise at 1001 N. Dearborn.

The suit accuses Levine of arranging the sale from Rosalind Franklin to the Chicago firm of Smithfield Properties. The university struggles the deal shortchanged it because the sale price was lower than market value according to $6 million to $9 million.

Vrdolyak is not mentioned in the lawsuit. A Smithfield representative involved in the transaction did not answer a telephone message left at his office.

Attempts to reach Vrdolyak in consequence of his law office and his attorney were ineffectual

Levine's cooperation came after he was charged in sum of two units separate criminal cases and the fed had privately recorded more than 1,200 phone calls onward Levine's home phone, sources said.

Levine was known to frequently conduct business at home and would generally escape from using a cell phone, according to single in kind source familiar with his habits.

cfusco@suntimes.com

dmckinney@suntimes.com

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