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An ex-powerful Springfield lobbyist and confidant of House Speaker Michael Madigan has been charged with bribery in a criminal case in Chicago, along with the former ComEd CEO, a top ComEd lobbyist and the ex-head of the City Club.
Named in the indictment are Michael McClain, Anne Pramaggiore, John Hooker and Jay Doherty.
More…
The indictment also alleges the four falsified ComEd's books and records. And here it says they referred to Public Official A — known to be House Speaker Michael Madigan — as "our Friend" or "a Friend of ours" rather than use his true name. pic.twitter.com/2yMveTnGRB
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) November 19, 2020
This post will be updated.
*** UPDATE *** The indictment is here.
The indictment says the defendants conspired to…
corruptly solicit and demand, and to accept and agree to accept from another person things of value, namely, jobs, contracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and contracts, for the benefit of Public Official A and his associates, intending that Public Offlcial A, an agent of the State of Illinois, be influenced and rewarded in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving things of value of $5,000 or more, namely, legislation affecting ComEd and its business, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(aX1)(B);
to corruptly give, offer, and agree to give things of valu6, nameiy, jobs, contracts, and monetary pa;rments associated with those jobs and contracts, for the benefit of Public Offlcia] A and his associates, with intent to influence and reward Public Official A, as an agent of the State of Illinois, in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving things of value of $5,000 or more, namely, legislation affecting ComEd and its business, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(2); and
knowingly and willfully to circumvent a system of internal accounting controls and to falsify any book, record, and account of Exelon and ComEd, in violation of Title 15, United States Code, Sections 78m(bX5) and 78ff(a).
It was part of the consplvacy that, for the purpose of influeneing and rewarding Pubiic Official A in connection with his offrcial duties as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, and to assist ComEd with respect to the passage of legislation favorable to ComEd and its business and the defeat of legislation unfavorabie to ComEd and its business, the conspirators (i) anranged for various associates of Public Official A, including Public Official A’s political allies and individuals who performed political work for Public Official A, to obtain jobs, contracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and contracts from ComEd and its affiliates, even in instances where such associates performed little or no work that they were purportedly hired to perform for ComEd; and (ii) created and caused the creation of false contracts, invoices and other books and records to disguise the true nature of certain of the payments and to circumvent internal controls.
* And then there are specific instances. Here are some headlines with a little context…
Hiring of Publie Official A’s Associates as Vendor “Subeontraetors” Who Performed Little or No Work for ComEd
Public Official A and McCLAIN sought to obtain from ComEd jobs, vendor contracts and subcontracts, as well as monetary payments for various associates of Public Official A, including Public Official A’s political allies and individuals who performed political work for Public Official A, such as ward precinct captains who worked within Public Offieial A’s district.
Retention of Law Firm A
[Appears to be Victor Reyes’ law firm which got its hours cut]
Thirteenth Ward Interns
It was further part of the conspiracy that potential Thirteenth Ward interas identified by McCLAIN did not need to compete against the general intern applicant pool, and instead, received more favorable treatment when it came to assessing their qualifications for a position within the ComEd Internship Program. … It was further part of the conspiracy that ComEd’s minimum academic requirements for intern candidates, such as a minimum required grade point average, were waived at times for certain Thirteenth Ward intern candidates who did not meet those requirements.
Apoointment to ComEd Board
[Juan Ochoa]
Hiring of Other Individuals
It was further part of the conspiracy that, in order to conceal the nature and purpose of their conduct, conspirators often referred to Public Offlcial A as “our Friend,” or “a Friend of ours,” rather than using Public Official A’s true name.
* “Overt Acts”…
On or about each date set forth below, defendants caused payments to be made to [Jay D. Doherty & Associates] in the approximate amount set forth below, with a substantial portion of each payment intended for associates of Public Official A […]
On or about each date set forth below, defendant DOHERTY caused a check to be made to [the Alderman for the Thirteenth Ward from in or around 1994 until on or about Aprii 30, 2011] in the approximate amount set forth below, for payments totaling approximately $256,000 […]
On or about each date set forth below, defendant DOHERTY caused a check to be made to Individual 13W-2’s [13th Ward precinct captain] company in the approximate amount set forth below, for payments totaling approximately $325,000 […]
On or about each date set forth below, defendant DOHERTY caused a check to be made to Individual 13W-3 [13th Ward precinct captain] in the approximate amount set forth below, for payments totaling approximately $144,000 […]
On or about February 25, 2015,McCLAIN sent an email to Marquez, in which he wrote, “Our Friend’s ward? Summer interns? 10 jobs or 12 or what is the ceiling? Best, Mike.”
On or about April 2, 2015, in response to an email asking whether there was pressure to hire a prospective intern associated with the Thirteenth Ward, or whether the intern could simply be “fairly considered” for the ComEd Internship Program, Marquez wrote an email that said, “There is pressure to hire Hope she interviews well.”
On or about April 29, 2015, Marqaez forwarded an email to MeCLAIN, advising that a candidate McCLAIN had referred to ComEd for the ComEd Internship Program had been hired.
On or about January 20, 2076, McCLAIN wrote an email to PRAMAGGIORE and HOOKER that said the following: “I am sure you know how valuable [Lawyer A] is to our Friend,” and then went on to write, “I know the drill and so do you. If you do not get involve [sic] and resolve this issue of 850 hours for his law firm per year then he wilI go to our Friend. Our Friend will cail me and then I will call you. Is this a drill we must go through? For me, Hook and I am sure you I just do not understand why we have to spend valuable minutes on items like this when we know it will provoke a reaction from our Friend.”
On or about January 20,2016, PRAMAGGIORE wrote an email to McCLAIN, in response to the email referenced in paragraph 28(h) and responded, “Sorry. No one informed me. I am on this.”
On or about January 20, 2016, PRAMAGGIORE forwarded the email referenced in paragraph 28(h) to Marquez.
On or about January 20,2016, PRAMAGGIORE forwarded the email referenced in paragraph 28(h) to an employee in ComEd’s legal department.
On or about February 25, 2016, McCLAIN wrote an emaii to Marquez, in which McCLAIN advised that “the 13th Ward may not want these people in their column,” in reference to ComEd counting interns that returned to the ComEd Internship Program against the number of spaces allotted to individuals from the Thirteenth Ward.
On or about April 15,2016, McCLAIN wrote an email to ComEd’s project manager for FEJA with the subject heading, “[Lawyer A] law firm?!”
On or about May 22,2016, the project manager for FEJA wrote an email to a member of ComEd’s legal department that asked, in reference to Law Firm A, “Are we closed out on this topic?”
On or about May 24,2016, McCLAIN wrote an email to a member of ComEd’s legal department, HOOKER, and the project manager for FEJA, in which MeCLAIN proposed terms for the renewal of Law Firm A’s contract with ComEd.
On or about December 2, 20L6, McCLAIN wrote an email to a member of ComEd’s legal department, in which McCLAIN followed up on a prior email concerning Law Firm A, and asked “After you catch a couple of good nights [sic] sleep can we put this item to bed?”
On or about December 3,2016, PRAMAGGIORE sent an email to McCLAIN in which she assured McCLAIN that she would resolve outstanding issues relating to Law Firm A’s contract, by noting, “Fidel and I are meeting on Monday to make our list. This will be on it.”
In or around January 2017, in connection with the renewal of JDDA’s contract, PRAMAGGIORE signed a false and misleading document, known as a “Single Source Justification,” in support of the renewal of JDDA’s [Doherty’s] contract and caused it to be submitted to Exelon Business Services. This Single Source Justification form made it falsely appear that the large amount of money to be paid to JDDA under the contract was on account of, among other things, JDDA’s “unique insight & perspective to promote ComEd and its business matters to further develop, execute and manage its Government Relations presence” and did not indicate that a substantial amount of the fees that would be paid to JDDA was intended for third parties in an effort to influence and reward Public Official A.
On or about February 9, 2017, McCLAIN sent an email to Marquez’s assistant, in which McCLAIN wrote that it was his understanding that the Thirteenth Ward would be provided ten positions in the ComEd Internship Program: “[F]or as long as I can remember it has been ten interns??”
On or about February L2,2018, Marquez caused an email to be sent by his assistant to McCLAIN, in which the assistant wrote, “Confirmed with Fidel we will work to provide you 10 slots.”
On or about May 2,2018, McCLAIN placed a call to Public Official A, and advised Public Official A that PRAMAGGIORE was experiencing push-back to the appointment of Individual BM-1 to the ComEd board of directors, and had proposed finding a job that would pay Individual BM-1 the same amount of money as a board member. [Emphasis added because this seems to be new.]
On or about May 16, 2018, McCLAIN placed a telephone call to PRAMAGGIORE, during which call PRAMAGGIORE advised McCLAIN that (i) she had instructed Marquez to “hire” Individual2SW-1 after checking with DOHERTY; and (ii) she would, at Public Official A’s request, “keep pressing” to appoint Individual BM-1 to the ComEd board of directors.
On or about May 16, 2018, McCLAIN placed a telephone call to Marquez, during which McCLAIN explained why certain individuals were being paid indirectly through JDDA, by making reference to their utility to Public Official A’s political operation, and advised Marquez that Individual23W-1 should be paid $5,000 a month.
On or about June 29, 2018, DOHERTY caused an email to be sent to a ComEd employee, which made it falsely appear that the justification for an additional $5,000 a month sought underJDDA’s revised contract was because JDDA would assume an “expanded role with Cook County Board President’s office and Cook County Commissioners and Department Heads,” when in fact the additional $5,000 a month in compensation sought was intended for pa;rment to Individual 23W-1, who performed little or no work forJDDA or ComEd.
On or about September 7,2018, MeCLAIN and PRAMAGGIORE parbicipated in a telephone call, during which PRAMAGGIORE assured McCLAIN that PRAMAGGIORE was continuing to advocate for the appointment of Individual BM-1 to ComEd’s board of directors and explained “You take good care of me and so does our friend and I witl do the best that I can to, to take care of you.”
On or about December 6,2018, McCLAIN sent an email to Marquez and others at ComEd, in which McCLAIN advised, in reference to the ComEd Internship Program, “f am pretty sure the ‘ask’ will be to ‘put aside’ or’save’ ten summer jobs for the 13th Ward.”
On or about January 29, 20L9, HOOKER traveled to the Union League Club, in Chicago, Illinois for the purpose of meeting with Marquez to discuss the renewal of the JDDA contract.
On or about February 7,2019, McCLAIN traveled to a restaurant in Springfield, Illinois, for the purpose of meeting with Marquez to discuss the renewal of the JDDA contract.
On or about February 13,2019, DOHERTY met with Marquez in Chicago, Illinois, and discussed how to present information to ComEd’s chief executive officer concerning the renewal of the JDDA contract.
On or about February 18,2019, PRAMAGGIORE participated in a telephone call with Marquez, during which call, afber she was told that the subcontractors associated with DOHERTY just “collect a check” and that Marquez needed to brief the chief executive officer of ComEd coneerning the JDDA contract, PRAMAGGIORE advised Marquez not to make any changes to the contract, because “we do not want to get caught up in a, you know, disruptive battle where, you know, somebody gets their nose out of joint and we’re tryrng to move somebody off, and then we get forced to give ‘em a five-year contract because we’re in the middle of needing to get something done in Springfield.”
In or around March 2019, in connection with the renewal of JDDA’s contract, the defendants caused the preparation of a false and misleading document, known as a “Single Source Justification,” in support of the renewal of JDDA’s contract, and the submission of this form to Exelon Business Services. This Single Source Justification form made it falsely appear that the large amount of money to be paid to JDDA was because, among other things, “Consultant has specific knowledge that cannot be sources [sic] from another supplier/contractor,” and did not indicate that a substantial amount of the fees that would be paid to JDDA was intended for third parties in an effort to influence and reward Public Official A.
On or about March 5,2079,McCLAIN met with a ComEd executive and Marquezfor the purpose of explaining why the JDDA contract and the payments to Individual 13W-1, Individual 13W-2, and Individual 23W-1 should be continued for another year.
On or about March 17,2019, DOHERTY caused a representative from Exelon Business Services to execute a contract containing false representations and promises that the compensation paid to JDDA was in return for providing ComEd with advice on legislative issues, when in fact a significant portion of the compensation to be paid to JDDA was intended for Individual 13W-1, Individual 13W-2, and Individual 23W- 1 [former Ald. Zalewski], who in fact did little or no legitimate work for ComEd.
On or about April }I,?}L},PRAMAGGIORE advised McCLAIN by text message, “Just sent out Board approval to appoint [Individual BM-l] to ComEd Board.”
On or about April 26,2019, ComEd filed a notice with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stating that Individual BM-1 had served as a director of ComEd since April2019.
All in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371and2.
* Count 2…
MICHAEL McCLAIN, and ANNE PRAMAGGIORE, defendants herein, corruptly offered and agreed to give a thing of value, and caused ComEd to offer and agree to give a thing of value, namely, a contract for Law Firm A and monetary payments associated with that contract, for the benefit of Public Offrcial A and his associate, Lawyer A, with intent to influence and reward Pubtic Official A, as an agent of the State of Illinois, in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving a thing of value of $5,000 or more, namely, legislation affecting ComEd and its business;
In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666(a)(2) and2
* Count 3…
MICHAEL MCCLAIN, ANNE PRAMAGGIORE JOHN HOOKER, and
JAY DOHERTY, defendants herein, knowingly and willfully falsified and caused to be falsified certain ComEd and Exelon books, records, and accounts, so that those books, records, and accounts did not in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of ComEd’s and Exelon’s assets, namely, in connection with the renewal of
JDDA’s contract for 2077;In violation of Title 15, United States Code, Sections 78m(bX5) and 78ff(a), and
Title L8, United States Code, Section 2.
* Count 4…
MICHAEL MCCLAIN, ANNE PRAMAGGIORE, JOHN HOOKER, and JAY DOHERTY, defendants herein, knowingly and willfuIly falsified and caused to be falsified certain ComEd and Exelon books, records, and accounts, so that those books, records, and accounts did not in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of ComEd’s and Exelon’s assets, namely, in eonnection with the renewal of JDDA’s contract for 2018;
In violation of Title 15, United States Code, Sections 78m(b)(5) and 78ff(a), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
* Count 5…
MICHAEL McCLAIN, and ANNE PRAMAGGIORE, defendants herein, corruptly offered and agreed to give a thing of value, and caused ComEd and Exelon to offer and agree to give a thing of value, namely, a position on the ComEd board of directors and monetary payments associated with that position, for the benefit of Public Official A and his associate, Individual BM-1, with intent to influence and reward Public Official A, as an agent of the State of Illinois, in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving a thing of value of $5,000 or more, namely,legislation affecting ComEd and its business;
In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666(aX2) and2.
* Count 6…
MICHAEL McCLAIN, and ANNE PRAMAGGIORE, defendants herein, corruptly offered and agreed to give a thing of value, and caused ComEd to offer and agree to give a thing of value, namely, payments of $5,000 a month, for the benefit of Public Official A and his associate, Individual 23W-1, with intent to influence and reward Public Offrcial A, as an agent of the State of Illinois, in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving a thing of value of $5,000 or more, namely,Iegislation affecting ComEd and its business;
In violation of Title 18, united states code, sections 666(aX2) and2.
* Count 7…
MICHAEL MCCLAIN, ANNE PRAMAGGIORE, JOHN HOOKER, and JAY DOHERTY, defendants herein, knowingiy and willfully falsified and caused to be falsified certain ComEd and Exelon books, records, and accounts, so that those books, records, and accounts did not in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of ComEd’s and Exelon’s assets, namely, in connection with the amendment of JDDA’s contract for 2018;
In violation of Title 15, United States Code, Sections 78m(b)(5) and 78ff(a), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
* Count 8…
MICHAEL MCCLAIN, ANNE PRAMAGGIORE, JOHN HOOKER, and JAY DOHERTY, defendants herein, corruptly offered and agreed to give a thing of value, and caused ComEd to offer and agree to give a thing of value, namely, a new annual contract for JDDA and monetary payments associated with that contract, for the benefrt of Public Official A and his associates, Individuai 13W-1, Individual 13W-2, and Individual2SW-1, with intent to influence and reward Public Offlcial A, as an agent of the State of Illinois, in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving a thing of value of $5,000 or more, namely,legislation affecting ComEd and its business;
In violation of Title 18, united states code, sections 666(a)(2) and}.
* Count 9…
MICHAEL MCCLAIN, ANNE PRAMAGGIORE, JOHN HOOKER, and JAY DOHERTY, defendants herein, knowingly and willfully falsified and caused to be falsified certain ComEd and Exelon books, records, and accounts, so that those books, records, and accounts did not in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of ComEd’s and Exelon’s assets, namely, in connection with the renewal of JDDA’s contract for 2019;
In violation of Title 15, United States Code, Sections 78m(b)(5) and 78ff(a), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.
That’s all 9 counts.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:16 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Hmmm, no indictment of a certain lawyer and his law firm and political firm?
Comment by John Lee Pettimore, III Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:18 pm
Good.
I never liked the idea that we had to pay the $200 million dollar fine, and the suits got to walk.
Comment by 33rd ward Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:19 pm
I think Madigan just lost a couple more votes for Speaker.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:20 pm
Something tells me this isn’t the end
Comment by fs Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:20 pm
Huge.
Like “huge-huge”
Michael McClain, Anne Pramaggiore that’s wow.
Election is over.
Indictments begin again… political ones.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:22 pm
The Speaker is toast.
Comment by Southern Skeptic Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:23 pm
Wow I just read today that everything was coming up roses for Mike Madigan
If these allegations are true….
Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:30 pm
A friend of ours . . .
https://youtu.be/Bnmt6dLasxw
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:30 pm
A whole week, and NOT on a Friday, before a holiday, (Thanksgiving)
The feeding frenzy these next 7 days….
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:34 pm
That’s the proverbial “ball game” on Public Official A remaining as Speaker. I will go with next Wednesday at 5 pm for a formal one paragraph statement stepping down and acknowledging doing nothing wrong.
Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:39 pm
Uh-oh.
Comment by Chatham Resident Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:44 pm
The slow drip - Madigan is done. Only denialists still cling onto Madigan surviving this one.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:45 pm
The only one who can bring down MJM is McClain. And McClain has a value system he lives by, which includes unconditional loyalty to certain people. Betraying MJM would be betraying himself. Will be interesting to see who the real McClain is.
Comment by Alcap One Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:50 pm
Last chance for some people to grab a little something before the hammer comes down.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:50 pm
Weak case. ComEd gave jobs to summer interns? They hired qualified applicants? ComEd may have broke company policy, but I am unaware of law to keep friends from helping friends. At least not yet. This suit is trying to criminalize politics. Notice who wasn’t indicted? This case is destiny for the trash heap. They may get McClain and pray he drops the dime, but I highly doubt that dig will hunt.
Comment by Marty36 Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:50 pm
Are the Feds as far up the food chain as they can go without naming Official A next? Or is there another shoe to fall before they get to A?
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 6:57 pm
Gotta keep your best players on the field, though.
Comment by JB13 Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:04 pm
There remain a significant number of people referenced in the indictment who have yet to be indicted. The squeezing continues.
Comment by BeenThereDoneThat Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:05 pm
The specific instances “Public Official A and McCLAIN sought to obtain from ComEd jobs”
The wording is very interesting. It is not McClain on behalf of Public Official A it is “Public Official A and McClain”. This infers they have direct evidence on both not just McClain conspiring. Madigan not being charged…. yet is likely in reference to the Feds initial filing against ComEd over the summer which they mentioned Rush, Walgreens, AT&T, among other companies lobbying activity with the State (Public Official A) as also being investigated. McClain is key. Will he flip and provide a bigger indictment against Madigan and indict others?
Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:10 pm
Sweet
Comment by Stritz Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:15 pm
===Weak case. ComEd gave jobs to summer interns? They hired qualified applicants? ComEd may have broke company policy, but I am unaware of law to keep friends from helping friends. At least not yet. This suit is trying to criminalize politics. Notice who wasn’t indicted? This case is destiny for the trash heap. They may get McClain and pray he drops the dime, but I highly doubt that dig will hunt.===
What you say all might be true. But if it flips some house dems to not vote for Madigan for speaker it pretty much has the same affect.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:37 pm
- 1st Ward - Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:10 pm:
Things change, but he infamously said he wouldn’t to WBEZ last year.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:38 pm
House Dems are nuts if they vote for Madigan to serve as Speaker again. Sure they could redistrict the heck out of the lines, but they’ll lose seats unless the GOP really botches it next election cycle. On top of that, I wouldn’t count on Pritzker being a lock for re-election. This is critical moment for Illinois Dems to do the right thing here and show some darn courage. You know, the same thing that Dems have been calling on GOP electeds in D.C. to do for the last 4 years.
Comment by Veil of Ignorance Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:41 pm
Somewhat surprised that after a year of digging, that’s the best the Feds could do. Not sure there’s much here from a legal perspective. Possibly could end Madigan’s Speakership but I’m not convinced anyone will get convicted.
Comment by Rutger Hauer Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:42 pm
== Things change, but he infamously said he wouldn’t to WBEZ last year.==
Words are bond…until a plea deal is put in front of you that means you don’t spend a significant amount of the rest of your life in Club Fed.
Comment by fs Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:42 pm
===Marty36=== Moylan, is that you? /s
Comment by twowaystreet Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:48 pm
With 12 members already calling on MJM to step down, and several more supposedly wavering, it’s really hard to see how Madigan hangs on.
I would not be surprised to see him announce his retirement next Weds night, right before we go into the long Thanksgiving holiday.
Comment by SpiDem Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:53 pm
Did the Speaker directly ask for anything or tell anyone to ask for something in return for legislative action? Are there tapes? Written documents? Is anyone willing to testify that the Speaker asked for something in return for legislation?
Indictments not guilty pleas. Seems the fat lady is not singing yet. If the Feds have what it takes what’s the hold up? Maybe one or more of the indicted folks will talk, but without an MJM indictment I doubt anyone has talked yet.
Regardless, IMO, it’s time for the Speaker to retire or be retired by the caucus, mission accomplished; super majorities in the GA, Rauner run off and Trump defeated.
Comment by nadia Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:56 pm
I predict that the Governor will get at least 2 unrelated questions about the Speaker during tomorrow’s COVID press conference.
Comment by Chatham Resident Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 7:58 pm
Spidem - interesting take. You must be new in town.
Comment by Centennial Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:00 pm
“even in instances where such associates performed little or no work”
This just reeks of Chicago Machine politics. Hope Madigan didn’t do anything indictable and doesn’t get indicted, but it’s time for a new Speaker. Hope this pushes enough Democrats to vote for change. It’s not that far in the future when change can happen.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:03 pm
The speaker could just resign and hang out a shingle as a lobbyist. he could probably get a few clients. /s
Comment by Just Saying Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:12 pm
Four scenarios; 1) a high level House staffer retires, starts a lobbying firm, seeks a lobbying contract with an entity, and without any influence or communication from anyone, the entity awards the new lobbyist a contract. 2) same circumstance as above, but one of the entity’s current lobbyists, without direction from the Speaker, reminds the management team that the new lobbyist worked 20 years for the Speaker. 3) same as above, the entity’s current lobbyist is asked by the Speaker to encourage the entity to hire the new lobbyist. 4) same as above, but the Speaker requests the entity to hire the new lobbyist.
Which scenario do you believe would happen with MJM?
Comment by nadia Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:17 pm
-the Alderman for the Thirteenth Ward from in or around 1994 until on or about Aprii 30, 2011-
Is that you Frank Olivo?
Comment by Cook County Worker Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:21 pm
===“even in instances where such associates performed little or no work”
This just reeks of Chicago Machine politics.===
Not sure who gets to define little or no work. Sometimes I dont do diddly for my clients for a month or two but when session is in I would be making only minimum wage if I was only paid for those months.
And while its not heavy lifting having to listen to conference calls and attending hearings takes time and is worth compensation. And I dont detail out my time commitment when I invoice them. So how do the feds know?
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:23 pm
==Public Official A — known to be House Speaker Michael Madigan==
Is it just me or does anyone else find it both funny and ironic that even though Rod and the Speaker hated each other during the 2003-2009 nightmare, that both officials would eventually share the nickname “Public Official A.”
Comment by Chatham Resident Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 8:39 pm
This reminds me that I need to pay my Comed bill!
Comment by Olive Garden Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 9:15 pm
“It seems McClain already flipped”
If he did Madigan would also be charged.
“And if they had a wiretap in 2018 this is ballgame”
The wiretap on McClain is not new news. This was already reported by the Tribune last November. The new news is the wiretap has Madigan and McClain directly talking about the Board Seat at ComEd. The Feds DPA with ComEd showed ComEd intentions of paying close lobbyists/associates of Madigan and hiring interns and other positions that were Madigan friendly with the intent of better legislation (Feds label this a Bribe from Comed). McClain is now charged for conspiring in the bribe in directing the payments (monetary and employment) as he was directly meeting, calling, e-mail etc. with Pramaggoire and Marquez saying our “friend” would like this who is Public Official A. An employment bribe is the Board Appointment which ComEd and McClain say via e-mail their “friend” wants . The Feds can now link Madigan to directly knowing about the Board Appointment through the wiretap picking up the conversation between Madigan and McClain (this is new). To indict Madigan as a conspirator, the Feds have to link knowledge that Madigan knew this was a “payment” for friendly legislation. The Feds have enough evidence to indict McClain given the e-mails, meetings, and ComEd DPA. They may already have the evidence on Madigan knowing the appointment was “payment” but can get a stronger case or additional conspiracy charges in flipping McClain.
Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 10:03 pm
Durbin must have known this was coming and tried to get ahead of it. Probably tipped Pritzker off as well.
Comment by Squints Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 10:12 pm
===Weak case.=== Yea the Northern District of Illinois is known for taking up weak cases which has resulted in conviction rates in the mid-90th percentile for as long as I can remember. Sheesh.
Comment by Citizen Kane Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 10:16 pm
so what happens with 13W1 and 23W1? And Lawfirm A? if they accepted the money/jobs, aren’t they soon to be on the menu? which one of these folks will turn…or have turned…on the Friend?
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 11:19 pm
Interesting. How long ago was it that the Speaker’s former chief of staff was let go?
Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 11:40 pm
“What happens with 13W1 and 23W1? And Lawfirm A”
Evidence doesn’t show they provided a “thing of value” thus no conspiracy or bribery. They took but did not give. If they didn’t report the income on their tax returns - Tax Evasion i.e. Terry Link.
Comment by 1st Ward Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 11:54 pm
==Interesting. How long ago was it that the Speaker’s former chief of staff was let go?==
If you’re talking about Tim Mapes, that was in 2018 after all the Alaina Hampton/harrassment reports in the House broke in late 2017.
Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 5:20 am
Seems like if you applied for a ComED internship during a given window you might get to be a member of what I suspect is an upcoming class-action lawsuit.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 8:04 am
==Wow I just read today that everything was coming up roses for Mike Madigan==
You weren’t the only one that noticed.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 8:44 am
If the Feds can’t convict you for this…they will for that…once the spotlight is focused.
Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Nov 19, 20 @ 11:47 am