New trial ordered for former Chicago streets and sanitation chief convicted of hiring fraud

New hiring fraud trial for former Chicago official

CHICAGO — A federal judge has ordered a new trial for Chicago’s former commissioner of streets and sanitation who was convicted of illegally handing out jobs as a reward for doing political campaign work.

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman ruled Tuesday that the March convictions of Al Sanchez and a former aide were based on testimony from a witness whose gang affiliations and arrest record should have been disclosed to defense attorneys.

Sanchez wasn’t only a prominent official under Mayor Richard Daley but a leader of the Hispanic Democratic Organization — a major political force in Chicago.

The new trial will be scheduled later.