Trial date set for Sen. Tom Cullerton, charged with embezzling from the Teamsters

A judge Thursday set a trial date for next summer for state Sen. Thomas Cullerton, one of three elected officials hit with federal charges so far this year.

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman set the trial for July 21, putting aside five days for prosecutors to put on their case that Cullerton embezzled from the Teamsters.

It’s not clear whether the trial date will stand, though. Lawyers also told the judge there is a dispute over evidence Cullerton’s legal team hopes to access regarding a key witness. Cullerton has pleaded not guilty and has vowed to clear his name.

Cullerton has been accused of collecting $188,320 in salary, bonuses and cellphone and vehicle allowances from the Teamsters, as well as $64,068 in health and pension contributions, while doing little or no work for the labor union. He also allegedly collected $21,678 in reimbursed medical claims.

A grand jury indicted him in August on one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union, one count of lying about a health care matter, and 39 counts of embezzlement from a labor union.

It’s been more than a year since federal authorities went public with what turned out to be multiple, ongoing criminal investigations into public corruption in Chicago and Illinois. So far, Cullerton is one of just three elected officials to face federal charges.

Ald. Edward M. Burke (14^th) faces racketeering charges in an indictment that landed in May. And former state Rep. Luis Arroyo was charged with bribery in a criminal complaint in October. No trial dates are on the calendar for Burke or Arroyo.