Former Chicago Alderman Rick Munoz Sent Back to Prison for Drunk Driving

Rick Munoz, a former Chicago alderman, has been returned to prison after being arrested for drunk driving while on supervised release. This incident occurred on May 23 in Berwyn, Illinois, following his 2022 conviction for misappropriating funds from a political campaign. Munoz had been sentenced to 13 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing from a campaign fund, which he used for personal expenses including vacations and college tuition. After serving his sentence, Munoz was placed on 18 months of supervised release, akin to federal parole. However, his recent arrest revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.3, nearly four times the legal limit. Munoz admitted to his probation officer that he had "relapsed" since his release, prompting federal prosecutors to recommend an additional prison term of 3 to 9 months. Munoz, who represented Chicago's 22nd Ward from 1993 to 2019, faced serious legal troubles prior to this incident. In 2021, he was indicted on multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering, ultimately pleading guilty to one count of each. His financial misconduct involved diverting nearly $38,000 from the Chicago Progressive Reform Caucus, where he served as chairman, leading to his removal from the position in 2019. In addition to his financial crimes, Munoz's personal life has been marred by allegations of domestic abuse. He was arrested in January 2019 following a dispute with his wife, although he was later acquitted of domestic battery charges.