Sanchez on Trial

By Kevin Robinson in News on Mar 18, 2009 2:20PM

Al Sanchez took the stand in his own defense Tuesday, as the federal corruption trial against him continues. In a move widely expected based on defense attorneys questioning during the prosecution's case, Sanchez blamed much of the patronage hiring on Intergovernmental Affairs Office (IGA). After a week and a half of hearing testimony from current and former city employees who claimed that HDO political workers got first crack at city jobs in Streets and Sanitation, Sanchez testified that he only wanted qualified people to work for him, vehemently dening that he had anything to do with hiring. When Assistant U.S. Attorney Manish Shah asked Sanchez if he was the city's Streets and Sanitation Commissioner, Sanchez replied "I had nothing to do with the hiring." Referring to the IGA, Sanchez said "That's the way it worked."

While claiming that he had no control over hiring in his own city department, Sanchez and his lawyers sought to paint a sympathetic picture for jurors, telling the story of how he grew up working-poor on the city's West side. "We were renters. It wasn't a very nice place. I'm from a family that didn't have a lot of money," he told the jury. He also went on to tell jurors that the HDO wasn't a patronage army for Daley, but rather engaged Latino activists in the community that were committed to working with a mayo they perceived as being "progressive". "These were not mercenaries looking for something in return," Sanchez said. "They were people who actually cared about the community."

The defense rested their case after Sanchez and his co-defendant Aaron DelValle took the stand. The court is expected to hear closing arguments this morning.

[Previously: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5]