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The Latest Breaking News from Fidel Marquez

Once a political giant, Madigan now a convicted felon and likely prison inmate — but not a racketeer

The verdict capped an unpredictable four-month trial that gave jurors an up-front and uncensored look at the practice of behind-the-scenes politics in Chicago and Illinois in the previous decade.

Chicago Sun-Times

So long, Solis? Defense rests in Burke trial after briefly questioning ‘hostile’ witness, FBI mole Danny Solis

Burke’s defense attorneys made good on their promise to call Solis to testify, forcing him out into the open nearly five years after the Chicago Sun-Times revealed his cooperation with the feds in January 2019.

Chicago Sun-Times

Will Danny Solis take the witness stand? Ed Burke’s lawyers would like to know

Former Ald. Solis helped prosecutors build their blockbuster indictments against Ed Burke and Mike Madigan. Solis is now formally charged with bribery, but the feds are expected to seek dismissal of that charge if he holds up his end of their deal.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Trial begins for businessman charged in bribery scheme that brought down former lawmaker Luis Arroyo

Like the ComEd bribery case, the trial of James T. Weiss is expected to feature secret FBI recordings, revolve around the business of lobbying and feature testimony from current and former state lawmakers.

Chicago Sun-Times

Jury convicts all four defendants in ComEd bribery trial — and fires a warning shot at Michael Madigan

Michael Madigan confidant Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and onetime City Club President Jay Doherty were all accused in the trial of a bribery conspiracy aimed at illegally swaying the powerful Democrat to benefit ComEd.

Chicago Sun-Times

ComEd trial puts spotlight on lobbying practices of state politicians

Mike Madigan “perfected” his political and statehouse operation to the point where companies and other special interests believed they had to hire his people to advance their bills, Rich Miller writes.

Chicago Sun-Times

Federal jury begins deliberating ComEd bribery case after prosecutors call four defendants ‘grand masters of corruption’

After six weeks of trial, 12 jurors are considering the merits of the case that ended former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s record-breaking grip on power.

Chicago Sun-Times

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In closing arguments, feds hammer at ‘stunning’ stream of benefits to Madigan while defense calls bribery charges ‘collateral damage’

Four former political power players are accused of arranging for jobs, contracts and money for Madigan allies in an illegal bid to sway Madigan on legislation crucial to ComEd. Their trial is in its seventh week, and jurors could begin deliberating Tuesday.

Chicago Sun-Times

ComEd bribery case — which shook Illinois politics to the core — goes into the hands of jurors next week

The jury will have a mountain of evidence to sort through. Jurors heard from about 50 witnesses over five weeks, saw piles of emails and heard a cache of secret FBI recordings that form the backbone of the feds’ case.

Chicago Sun-Times

Former ComEd CEO testifies that secretly recorded call central to bribery case against her actually ‘proves my innocence’

Anne Pramaggiore went toe-to-toe with Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker, who questioned Pramaggiore for around two and a half hours and challenged the assertions Pramaggiore made Monday on the witness stand.

Chicago Sun-Times

On witness stand, former ComEd CEO denies knowing contractors were tied to Madigan: ‘I didn’t know who they were’

Anne Pramaggiore testifies in her defense that she was unaware that the contractors hired by the utility through Jay Doherty’s company had connections to the ex- speaker.

Chicago Sun-Times

Despite cache of secret FBI recordings, ex-ComEd CEO tells jurors in bribery trial she didn’t view Madigan as an ally of utility

Anne Pramaggiore will face more questions when the ComEd bribery trial resumes Monday, when she will surely face vigorous cross-examination by prosecutors in the high-stakes case.

Chicago Sun-Times

Longtime precinct captain says he was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by ComEd to do political work for Michael Madigan

‘Understand this, that I control that contract,’ Edward Moody says he was told by Madigan. ‘If you stop doing your political work, you’ll lose that contract.’

Chicago Sun-Times

Telephone conversation between Fidel Marquez and Anne Pramaggiore | ComEd Exhibit 71-T

CASE TITLE: United States v. McClain, et al.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Chicago Sun-Times

Key federal witness in ComEd bribery trial pays price on stand as defense grills him over his decision — and his personal life

With the eyes of his since-indicted former co-workers burning in the direction of Fidel Marquez, a defense attorney pointed their way and demanded of Marquez, “You didn’t choose to sit over there, did you?”

Chicago Sun-Times

City Council declares its independence, Opening Day arrives and more in your Chicago news roundup

Today’s update is about an eight-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Chicago Sun-Times

Defense finally gets crack at feds’ key witness in ComEd bribery trial, says he was ‘scared’ when FBI agents came to his door

Former ComEd exec had been questioned over three days by federal prosecutors as they detailed the many ways the company allegedly tried to bribe former House Speaker Michael Madigan to benefit ComEd.

Chicago Sun-Times

In-person conversation between Michael McClain and Fidel Marquez | ComEd Exhibit 123-T

Michael McClain tells Marquez about a conversation he had with Madigan regarding McClain’s retirement.

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Chicago Sun-Times

List of Madigan tapes and more heard in the ComEd bribery trial

Listen to recordings collected by the FBI played in the ComEd bribery trial. The list will be updated with new audio and transcripts as the trial develops.

Chicago Sun-Times

‘How else can we help you?’ Jurors hear and see Madigan’s vast patronage system inside ComEd

The feds’ key witness, former ComEd Vice President Fidel Marquez, spent hours testifying Tuesday about how he and other ComEd executives fielded constant requests to find jobs for people he said were pushed for employment by Madigan, even when evaluations found their qualifications lacking.

Chicago Sun-Times

Telephone conversation between Michael McClain and Fidel Marquez | ComEd Exhibit 23-T

Michael McClain and Fidel Marquez have a conversation, McClain says “Let me just tell you about each guy.”

Chicago Sun-Times

The fight for control of school boards, April runoff races heat up and more in your Chicago news roundup

Today’s update is about an eight-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Chicago Sun-Times

ComEd had to earn Madigan’s favor for legislative success, fed star witness says

Former ComEd executive Fidel Marquez took the stand as prosecutors planned to use secretly recorded FBI conversations to spotlight a key contract used to pay associates of the former House speaker.

Chicago Sun-Times

Jurors in ComEd bribery trial get a lesson in machine politics — in Michael Madigan’s own words

For the first time Thursday, jurors in the bribery trial of Michael McClain and three other political power players heard Madigan’s voice on secret recordings.

Chicago Sun-Times

Over 100 FBI recordings will be played at ComEd trial, but defense claims jurors will hear no hard evidence of bribery

The opening statements Wednesday kicked off the highly anticipated trial of Madigan confidant Michael McClain, ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and onetime City Club President Jay Doherty.

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