CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been found guilty on 10 of 23 public corruption counts, including charges related to bribery conspiracy.
To summarize, prosecutors allege he used his political power and various offices – including as a partner in his law firm – as a “criminal enterprise” to protect and enhance his power while enriching himself and his allies. But his defense attorneys argue the state is trying to criminalize the political process and baseline constituent services.
His co-defendant Mike McClain, a veteran Statehouse lobbyist and longtime Madigan confidant, was already convicted on public corruption charges last year in the separate but related “ComEd Four” trial. The feds are again trying to show McClain is an “agent” of Madigan, while his defense attorneys say he simply engaged in legal relationship maintenance, a core function of lobbying
