Ex-Chicago official granted a new trial

— A federal judge threw out the fraud conviction of Chicago’s former streets and sanitation chief Tuesday and granted him a new trial on charges of illegally rewarding political campaign workers with city jobs.

Al Sanchez was convicted on testimony from a key witness whose arrest record and gang affiliations should have been disclosed beforehand to defense attorneys but were not, Judge Robert W. Gettleman said.

Gettleman also ordered a new trial for a former aide to Sanchez who was convicted of one count of perjury.

Front Section, Pages 2 on 12/23/2009

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