Former Head of Chicago's Hired Truck Program Pleads Guilty

March 21, 2005 2:00 AM, EST

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ngelo Torres, the former head of a Chicago’s Hired Truck Program, pleaded guilty Friday to accepting cash in exchange for letting private companies into the $37-million-a-year project, the Associated Press reported.

Torres pleaded guilty to extortion conspiracy, mail fraud and tax violations, AP said. He faces up to 49 years in prison and $1.25 million in fines, but the judge said he would consider a shorter term, AP reported.

Officials have been investigating the program since January 2004 and Mayor Richard Daley recently said he wants outside administrator to run it, AP said.