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Two Chicago Bears Praised Fraud Defendant to Judge
CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher and former Bear Terry "Tank" Johnson wrote letters to a federal judge last year that praised a disgraced Chicago politician.

At the time, former Alderman Edward Vrdolyak was facing sentencing in a $1.5 million real estate kickback scheme.

In his Dec. 19 letter, Urlacher said he spent time with Vrdolyak on family vacations and during the offseason. The Pro Bowl linebacker told the judge Vrdolyak gave him advice of value during stressful times.

In his letter, Johnson told the judge his relationship with Vrdolyak helped him turn his life around. The Bears released Johnson in 2007 after several run-ins with the law. He's now with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Vrdolyak was given five years' probation and fined $50,000.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
11 13 09 by Newsroom
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