A Chicago-based attorney and alderman has been charged with attempted extortion for allegedly trying to use his City Council position to boost his private law firm.

Ed Burke, who previously did property tax work for President Trump, was charged Wednesday for allegedly using his government position to solicit business to his law firm.

Burke tried to persuade a restaurant seeking building permits in 2017 to retain his law firm in exchange for the permits, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. After the restaurant did not hire Burke’s law firm, the alderman worked with another government employee to play “hard ball” with the company by stalling its permits in an effort to force it to hire Burke’s firm, prosecutors allege.

When Burke received assurance that the company would hire his firm for tax work, he changed his opposition to the permits, the court documents say. Burke also allegedly requested a campaign contribution from someone who worked for the company. Prosecutors said that person felt obligated to donate to Burke’s campaign in order to avoid any interference with the restaurant.

Burke, a Democrat, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted.

Federal agents raided his City Hall office in November. At the time, Burke denied any wrongdoing.