Ex-speaker’s fate rests with jury as deliberations continue – Washington Examiner
The article discusses the ongoing corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain in Chicago. As of the latest update,the jury is resuming deliberations after spending less than five hours discussing the case on the previous Friday. The trial, which began with jury selection on october 8, revolves around allegations of bribery, racketeering, and official misconduct, with Madigan facing 23 counts and McClain facing six, both of which they deny.
The case has been under federal inquiry for over a decade and includes numerous recordings and testimonies from witnesses. While some experts believe the trial is critically important for transparency and accountability,they also caution that a potential acquittal might lead too questions about the effectiveness of the resources used in the investigation. The charges involve claims that companies like ComEd and AT&T Illinois engaged in corrupt practices to benefit from legislative actions in Springfield. This trial follows previous convictions in related cases and significant financial penalties imposed on those companies. Madigan, who has a long political history in the Illinois legislature, is accused of using his office to benefit his private law firm, further complicating the allegations against him and McClain.
Ex-speaker’s fate rests with jury as deliberations continue
(The Center Square) – The jury is set to resume deliberations Monday at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain in Chicago.
Jurors deliberated for less than five hours Friday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse before they wrapped up for the weekend. Deliberations began last Wednesday afternoon in a trial that began with jury selection Oct. 8.
St. Xavier University Professor David Parker said there is value in the proceedings.
“You know, it brings a lot of things to light. I always say sunlight is the best disinfectant,” Parker told The Center Square.
“So in one way it’s great, you know, it’s showing that there is concern. There are actions being taken. It informs people of what’s been happening, what’s going on, what could be still going on,” Parker said.
The case involves a federal investigation that lasted more than 10 years, with hundreds of recordings and dozens of witnesses.
“On the negative side, if there’s no conviction, people might say it was a waste of resources. You lose credibility going forward in these types of cases,” Parker said.
Madigan has pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct. Codefendant Michael McClain is charged with six counts and has also pleaded not guilty.
U.S. government attorneys described Count 1 as an “umbrella charge” for racketeering conspiracy. Madigan is charged alone with Counts 2-7, related to ComEd. He is also charged alone with Counts 8-14 involving a state board position and Counts 15-18 involving the Union West development in Chicago.
Both Madigan and McClain are charged with Counts 19-22 involving a Chinatown land parcel and Count 23, which is related to AT&T. The judge instructed the jury to consider the defendants separately for each count.
Prosecutors allege that ComEd and AT&T Illinois gave out no-work or little-work jobs and contract work to Madigan allies to get legislation passed that would benefit them in Springfield.
In 2023, McClain and three others were convicted in the related ComEd Four trial, and ComEd agreed to pay $200 million in fines as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with prosecutors.
AT&T Illinois agreed to pay $23 million as part of a deferred prosecution agreement in 2022.
Madigan and McClain are also accused of using Madigan’s public office to illegally steer business to his private law firm.
Madigan, D-Chicago, served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021 and was speaker for all but two years between 1983 and 2021. He chaired the Democratic Party of Illinois for 23 years. Madigan also led the 13th Ward Democratic Organization and served as 13th Ward committeeman.
McClain, D-Quincy, became a lobbyist after serving in the Illinois House from 1973 to 1982.
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