A federal jury in Chicago has found former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan guilty on charges of conspiracy and bribery. The conviction is based on Madigan's use of his official position to solicit personal financial rewards for himself and his associates.
Madigan, aged 82, was convicted on ten counts, including conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activity, wire fraud, and bribery. However, he was acquitted on several other charges, including some counts of using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activity and attempted extortion. U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey declared a mistrial on six additional counts where the jury could not reach a unanimous decision.
The verdicts came after a four-month trial in the U.S. District Court in Chicago. Sentencing has yet to be scheduled. Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while each bribery count can result in up to ten years. Conspiracy charges and using interstate facilities for unlawful activities are punishable by up to five years each.
Judge Blakey also declared a mistrial for all deadlocked counts against co-defendant Michael F. McClain from Quincy, Illinois. McClain faced similar charges as Madigan.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Madigan conspired with others to have Commonwealth Edison make payments to his associates for their loyalty while performing little or no legitimate work for the company. These payments were intended to influence legislation sought by ComEd in the Illinois General Assembly.
Additionally, Madigan was found guilty of accepting legal work unlawfully directed to his private law firm and his son by a Chicago City Council Alderman in exchange for helping appoint the Alderman to a state board position.
The announcement of the verdicts was made by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office; and Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago. The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet S. Bhachu, Diane MacArthur, Sarah E. Streicker, and Julia Schwartz.
