The trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime confidant Mike McClain has reached its conclusion, with jurors beginning deliberations on charges of racketeering, conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud. Prosecutors allege Madigan used his political influence to enrich himself and others, while the defense maintains his innocence. The case, stemming from a years-long investigation, centers on allegations of quid pro quo deals involving legislative favors and jobs at ComEd in exchange for political support.
Deliberations are now underway in the trial of Madigan and his former long-time confidant Mike McClain in a corruption trial that is the culmination of a years-long investigation into the way lobbying and political influence is undertaken in Springfield.The 23-count federal indictment charges both men with racketeering, conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud, with Madigan facing an additional charge of extortion.
“It’s not a slam dunk. The rules of the game have changed when it comes to bribery,” he said. “There has to be a quid pro quo. There has to be a really right nexus.” “Ladies and gentlemen, legislation should not be bought,” she said in court. “But that is what was happening here. They knew it, because they set it up that way.”
The investigation into Madigan also targeted numerous other lobbyists and officials, with multiple convictions and prison sentences handed out in those cases. Acevedo was not charged for the payment he received, but did serve a prison sentence for tax evasion, according to prosecutors.district in Congress, testified that she was familiar with recommendations of nominees forwarded by Madigan’s office to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker that were known as “Sphinx lists.” She testified that she felt it important to be responsive to the recommendations, but that she didn’t feel it necessary to act upon them., an uncommon sight in corruption trials.
On the stand Tuesday, once-powerful Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan told jurors he never thought he was violating the law. He, along with his co-defendant, have been accused of using that office as a criminal enterprise to further the interests of themselves, their friends and the companies they did business with. They deny all of those allegations. NBC 5's Charlie Wojciechowski reports.
MICHAEL MADIGAN CORRUPTION TRIAL ILLINOIS LOBBYING COMED BRIBERY
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