Illinois bribery and racketeering trial involves more politicians
Michael Madigan, who was once celebrated as the longest-serving legislative leader in American history, has been accused of utilizing his considerable influence to operate a "criminal enterprise" in order to accumulate additional wealth and influence.
Prosecutors at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain have introduced wiretapped conversations that prominently feature past and present Illinois politicians, as The Washington Examiner reported.
On Thursday, government attorneys presented a succession of documents, emails, and recorded conversations, as well as called nine witnesses, at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.
Case Details
The biggest utility in the state, ComEd, was a participant in a racketeering and bribery scam involving the former speaker of the Illinois House, which spanned multiple million dollars.
Much of the evidence, including audio recordings of conversations and video recordings of meetings, has been shown in public court. Legislators and Madigan's former chief of staff have already been convicted as a result of a comprehensive probe into public corruption.
The Chicago Democrat, who was once thought of as the political superpower of Illinois, was the center of attention when prospective jurors begin to report to court.
“This is the top of the mountain here, the very very top,” former federal prosecutor Phil Turner said.
Secret recordings as evidence
Expect the testimony to go on for at least three months. The government's case is strong, according to experts. In order to refute the mountain of evidence, defense lawyers will have to disprove wiretaps on Madigan and others.
Since the context is absent from the excerpts that the prosecutors wish to play, Madigan's lawyers are requesting longer versions of the talks: “The defense has to battle,” said Pissetzky. “It’s very hard to cross-examine a recording.”
The timing means proceedings could stretch long past the November election and into 2025. Though Madigan no longer holds office, the case could impact wider public perception of politicians.
“Most legislators are not corrupt but when we get these high-profile cases, it further erodes trust,” Mixon said. “Citizens become less and less trustful of their government and more cynical and more disengaged.”
Case Delay
The Supreme Court of the Untied States took time in deliberating a bribery statute that was crucial to the case, delaying the trial by six months.
The conviction of a former mayor of Indiana was reversed by the nation's highest court in June for bribery. The court determined that the law only criminalizes payments made prior to an official act, not prizes or "gratuities" offered afterwards.
According to Madigan's legal team, the decision rendered the case against their client "fatally infirm, constitutionally and otherwise," and they aimed to have multiple charges against Madigan dismissed.