Madigan trial: Former Illinois House Speaker returns to the witness stand
CHICAGO - Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan returned to the witness stand on Monday in his federal corruption trial. In a highly unusual and risky move, the career politician decided to testify in his own defense last week; now, federal prosecutors are turning up the heat in cross-examination.
Madigan’s trial has been underway for more than three months and could be handed to the jury by the end of January.
What We Know
Once a political powerhouse, Madigan—who is 82 years old—is now fighting to stay out of prison.
Jurors reported to court at 1 p.m. after a morning of legal arguments about the scope of the government’s questioning.
On Madigan’s third day of testimony—but his first taking questions directly from federal prosecutors—he was probed about the inner-workings of certain relationships and the hiring of political allies.
During cross-examination, the government played audio recordings, including one where Madigan is heard saying certain ComEd contractors have "made out like bandits."
The transcript provided by federal prosecutors stated, in part:
MADIGAN: B-but mike, he’s involved with ComEd?
MCCLAIN: Yeah, remember we got him that contract, um, maybe five years ago now, whenever it was? For a buck fifty a year.
MADIGAN: Mhmm. (laughs.)
MCCLAIN: Well if, if you remember uh-
MADIGAN: Some of these guys have made out like bandits Mike.
MCCLAIN: Oh my god, (coughs) for very little work too.
MADIGAN: Yeah.
On that wiretap audio from August 2018, Madigan is heard asking his co-defendant Michael McClain, about ComEd contracts.
It's one of dozens of tapes jurors will need to recall when deliberating.
"That's how I would structure it to my precinct captains. I'm sitting here and I'm trying to take somebody who never thought they would be a Democratic precinct captain and make them into a salesman," Madigan said in another video clip played for the jury.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Bhachu also questioned Madigan about hiring Jeffrey Rush, the son of retired U.S. Representative Bobby Rush.
Prosecutors revealed that Jeffrey Rush was dismissed from his role as a supervisor at the Illinois Department of Corrections after allegations surfaced that he had engaged in sexual relationships with inmates.
Jurors were shown another transcript of a phone call between Madigan and McClain.
During the call, Madigan said Congressman Bobby Rush had asked him to assist Jeffrey Rush in finding employment, hopeful Madigan could "give him another chance."
Following the call, a résumé was sent to Madigan, and Jeffrey Rush was later hired by Friends of Michael J. Madigan, a fundraising group tied to the former speaker.
Madigan spent about three hours on the stand Monday, where he was also questioned about his friendship with his former confidante, McClain.
When asked about their loyalty to one another, Madigan told jurors: "I wasn’t as loyal to him as he was to me."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu, who led cross-examination pressed Madigan on his loyalty to McClain, saying it seemed the two were awfully loyal to each other.
Madigan eventually said: "Loyal in the sense that I wouldn’t do anything to harm him, yes."
Madigan’s defense attorneys argue that his actions were typical of political negotiations and do not constitute corruption. They maintain that Madigan never misused his public office for personal benefit.
Together, McClain and Madigan are facing 23 felony counts, including bribery, racketeering, and wire fraud.
McClain is not expected to take the stand in his own defense.
What's Next
Madigan’s cross-examination will continue as the trial progresses.
Prosecutors are expected to delve further into his alleged involvement in hiring and his broader use of political influence.
When Madigan’s testimony wraps up, the defense is expected to call additional witnesses.
Last week, Judge John Robert Blakey told the jury they could expect to start deliberations the week of Jan. 27.
The Source: Information in this article was obtained through court proceedings and testimony from Mike Madigan's trial.