USA vs. Michael Madigan
Michael J. Madigan was the longest-serving state House speaker in the nation. Then, in 2022, he was charged with leading a criminal enterprise designed to enhance his political power and generate income for his allies and associates. He has pleaded not guilty.
Madigan jurors hear how allies quietly raised money for aide ousted by sexual harassment allegations
“I’ve tried to put some guys together to kick in a grand each,” Michael McClain told lobbyist Will Cousineau in August 2018. “No one else even knows about it. Except for our friend.”
Former ComEd general counsel Thomas O’Neill outlined the “persistent pressure” he felt to sign and later renew a contract for the law firm of a Madigan ally, Victor Reyes.
The week began with Michael Madigan’s attorneys insisting no one had the right to speak for the speaker — that Madigan was “ignorant” of what people said behind his back. His chief ally, Michael McClain, is on trial with him.
The start of Madigan’s racketeering conspiracy trial is largely mirroring the ComEd bribery trial, so far. Ex-state Rep. Lou Lang is expected to testify soon, and he was spotted Wednesday down the hall from Madigan’s trial courtroom.
Tuesday’s cross examination and final opening statement underscored that defense attorneys plan to strongly challenge the theory prosecutors have been battle-testing over multiple trials –– and essentially put government witness Danny Solis on trial.
Monday’s opening statements kicked off the trial of the longest-serving state House speaker in the country, one of the most powerful politicians in Illinois history. The FBI pursued Mike Madigan for more than a decade, and its probe forced him from power in 2021.
Madigan has played a prominent and polarizing role in Illinois politics for decades. That certainly played a part in jury selection, but it wasn’t necessarily the reason things took so long.
Some prospective jurors argued that career politicians “lose touch with reality” and lack fresh perspectives demanded by changing times. Occasionally, their answers seemed to reference President Joe Biden. At others, the U.S. Supreme Court.
When Michael McClain retired from lobbying in 2015, he told then-House Speaker Madigan he was “at the bridge with my musket standing with and for the Madigan family.” McClain’s fealty to Madigan will soon come into sharp focus as they face a federal jury together.
Longtime strategist says allegations are embedded in Chicago’s ‘civic lore,’ and a conviction would be ‘first sentence’ in Madigan obituary.
The ex-speaker also crossed paths with his onetime friend, Michael McClain. The relationship between the pair has been examined in multiple corruption trials in Chicago. Now they’re finally on trial together.
Alaina Hampton’s testimony will be limited, with the judge telling attorneys to work out an agreement that would avoid getting into the details of her sexual harassment allegations in front of the jury.
Judge John Blakey’s father wrote the federal racketeering law that has famously been used to take down organized crime figures. But Blakey also established himself as an authority on the subject long before Madigan’s historic trial.
The former Illinois house speaker is charged with a racketeering conspiracy and other crimes spanning five alleged schemes. While his trial is expected to begin this week, federal prosecutors have already detailed their case in a series of crucial court filings.
U.S. District Judge John Blakey handed down his ruling less than a week before the former Illinois House Speaker is set for trial. The judge also denied a request from Madigan’s longtime friend and confidante to be tried separately.
Federal prosecutors heading into the biggest Chicago corruption trial since the days of Rod Blagojevich faced another setback Thursday.
The jury of eight women and four men began deliberating at about 2:40 p.m. Tuesday in the case of Paul La Schiazza, the former head of AT&T Illinois. They will resume at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge John Blakey, prosecutors and defense attorneys reviewed logistics and evidence for the Oct. 8 trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and his longtime confidant, Michael McClain.
Jurors heard four days of testimony in the trial of Paul La Schiazza before prosecutors and defense attorneys rested their case Monday afternoon.
Prosecutors are nearing the end of their case against AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza. Attorneys say it could be in the hands of the jury by the end of next week.
Former longtime AT&T Illinois lobbyist Stephen Selcke took the stand Thursday as the star witness in the trial of ex-utility President Paul La Schiazza.