CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Among the 143 people granted clemency late Tuesday by President Trump on his last full day in the White House, are two Chicago area men, one of whom had not been convicted of a crime.
President Donald Trump pardoned Mettawa Mayor Casey Urlacher from any convictions that could have resulted from an illegal sports betting operation.
"This pardon is supported by his friends and family, and countless members of his community," a statement on Trump's final pardons released by the White House late Tuesday said.
Urlacher was among 10 people charged last year in connection with an illegal gambling business. He had been accused of recruiting new gamblers and collecting money from or making payouts to gamblers. His brother is Bears Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher who reportedly met with President Trump a month after Casey Urlacher had not yet been tried or convicted.
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"Throughout his life, Mr. Urlacher has been committed to public service and has consistently given back to his community," the White House statement said. "Currently, Mr. Urlacher serves as the unpaid Mayor of Mettawa, Illinois. He is a devoted husband to his wife and a loving father to his 17-month-old daughter."
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Meanwhile, a Lombard man serving a life sentence for participating in a drug conspiracy was granted clemency late Tuesday by President Donald Trump.
Craig Cesal, 61, was convicted of leasing tractor-trailers to marijuana smugglers in 2002. The White House announced that Trump had commuted Cesal’s sentence.
The White House said Cesal “had an exemplary disciplinary record” and “looks forward to reintegrating back into society and to contributing to his community while living with his daughter with whom he has remained close. Mr. Cesal hopes to be a part of her upcoming wedding.”
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In June, Cesal was put on home confinement in Lombard during the pandemic, because of underlying health conditions.
According to the Sun-Times, Cesal said he hopes to work for the Last Prisoner Project, a nonprofit group involved in cannabis reforms. His goal is to help free people locked up on marijuana-related convictions.