"Burger King Owner Testifies on Alleged Shakedown in Ed Burke Trial"

Shoukat Dhanani, the owner of a Burger King restaurant in Chicago, testified in court that he had a "gut feeling" that Ald. Edward Burke shut down the remodeling of his restaurant because Dhanani did not respond about Burke's property tax business. Prosecutors played secretly recorded conversations between Burke and his allies, revealing their attempts to strong-arm business for Burke's private property tax law firm. Burke's defense argues that the Dhananis misread the situation and were confused about needing a driveway permit. Dhanani also testified that his company never steered any work to Burke's firm.