CHICAGO (AP) — AS Longest serving legislative leader In American history, Michael Madigan has repeatedly exploited his public role for private gain, federal prosecutors alleged Monday during their opening statements in Illinois. The largest corruption trial In years.
Madigan, speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives for more than three decades and former chairman of the state Democratic Party Charged In a 23-count indictment of racketeering conspiracy, use of interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud and attempted extortion. Among multiple schemes, he was accused of using his influence to pass legislation to benefit utility companies that would offer kickbacks, jobs and contracts to Madigan loyalists in return.
“This is a case about corruption at the highest levels of state government,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Stryker told the jury. “Madigan abused his power and used the organizations he led to engage in a pattern of corrupt behavior over and over again.”
Over the course of two hours, Stryker gave an overview of the government's case, presenting slides containing photographs and flow charts of key players accused in the schemes, Madigan's handwritten documents and quotes from wiretapped conversations.
Madigan's defense attorneys quickly denied the accusations in their opening statement.
“It's based on bad information. It's based on unreliable sources. It's based on conjecture and speculation,” defense attorney Tom Breen said. “You're going to hear some outright lies.”
Instead, defense attorneys painted a picture of Madigan, Who resigned in 2021as designated for his working-class legislative district on the city's southwest side near Midway International Airport.
“He was actually incorruptible,” Breen said.
Madigan, 82, has kept a low profile since being indicted in 2022 and has “adamantly” denied any wrongdoing.
The Chicago Democrat — who is also a lawyer — watched the proceedings intently, scribbling notes on the legal pad. Several members of his family attended and sat in the front row, including his daughter, Lisa Madigan, who served four terms as Illinois attorney general. I refused it Seeking re-election in 2018.
Opening statements began Monday afternoon next Jury selection Which lasted nearly two weeks. Twelve jurors and six alternates were selected after extensive questioning about the role of lobbyists, news consumption habits and familiarity with the man who was once the most powerful leader in Illinois politics.
Madigan was first elected to the Legislature in 1970, and was speaker of the state House from 1983 to 2021, except for two years when Republicans were in control. He set much of the political agenda in Illinois by determining which legislation would be voted on and controlling many campaign funds. He also supervised Political mapping.
Federal prosecutors allege he repeatedly exploited these roles to amass more power and money. He is also accused of profiting from private legal work that was illegally funneled to his law firm.
“You'll see how willing he was to give up public power to line his own pockets,” Stricker said.
Prosecutors also identified a network of loyalists who helped run and hide the schemes.
Standing on trial alongside Madigan is a close friend and longtime co-defendant, Michael McClain, whom prosecutors described as Madigan's “spokesman.” The former state lawmaker and former lobbyist has already been convicted in a separate, related case. Last year, federal jurors convicted McClain and three others By bribery conspiracy That involves ComEd, the state's largest utility company.
Madigan's trial is expected to last approximately three months. Jurors are expected to hear about 200 recordings and testimony, including from former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis, who was a cooperating witness for the government and secretly recorded conversations for years.
Much of the evidence was examined in open court. A comprehensive investigation into public corruption has already resulted in convictions Legislators and Madigan's former chief of staff.
Prosecutors said the recordings would clarify Madigan's role in the schemes. But defense attorneys, who played videos of Solis' meetings during opening statements, said the former alderman could not be trusted because he had legal and financial problems of his own.
McClain's attorneys are expected to address jurors on Tuesday. He sat at a separate table from Madigan as he watched the proceedings Monday.
