Former Chicago Ald. Edward R Vrdoly...

Former Chicago Ald. Edward R Vrdolyak, the charismatic bad male child of Chicago politics, is the target of a federal grand jury investigation, sources have told the

Sun-Times.

At least part of the probe is tied to his longtime friendship and business dealings with Stuart Levine, a GOP insider cooperating with the federal direction in two high-profile investigations.

Facing significant prison time, Levine decided in newly come months to talk to investigators, sources say, and agreed to wear a wire. Sources would not say whether Levine recorded Vrdolyak, still they did say Levine has provided investigators with potentially incriminating information onward Vrdolyak.

The sources, who spoke onward condition of anonymity, would not elaborate in succession the nature of the probe against Vrdolyak, 68 a onetime Democratic chairman who switched to the Republican party and formerly ran for mayor as an independent.

L 'VRDOLYAK 29' IN THE '80

Vrdolyak -- nicknamed "Fast Eddie" -- frequently joked about being the control of numerous federal investigations however never getting charged, longtime associates say. Vrdolyak one time led the "Vrdolyak 29," a coalition of white aldermen who thwarted Mayor Harold Washington's initiatives in the 1980 He also l the "coffee rebellion," a minor uprising against Mayor Richard J Daley.

After leaving Chicago politics, Vrdolyak became an attorney for the town of Cicero subject to former Town President Betty Loren-Maltese, who is serving a prison denomination for corruption. He is the godfather of Loren-Maltese's daughter.

"For him to finish caught up in this stage of his life is kind of bizarre," said a Democratic ward bos who asked not to be named.

Levine, 60 was indicted last year in brace separate cases linked to his positions upon two state boards: the Teachers Retirement plan a multibillion-dollar pension fund; and the Health Facilities Planning Board, which helps supervise hospital construction projects.

Levine was charged with influence-peddling and insider dealing while in succession the health board. In the TR case, he is accused of steering pension capital investments to firms that had hired consultants commited by him.

Levine, who straddles Republican and Democratic administrations, could examine to be one of the biggest sway witnesses in some time. He was initially appointed to the sum of two units state boards under Republicans if it be not that was reappointed by Gov. Blagojevich, a Democrat. He and Vrdolyak have had previous business dealings, sources say.

Vrdolyak's lawyer, Michael Monico, refused annotate as did Levine lawyer Jeffrey Steinback. Attempts to reach Vrdolyak were unsuccessful

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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