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The Latest Breaking News from John Hooker

Ex-ComEd lobbyist suspected new CEO Dominguez would be ‘wired’

Prosecutors present recordings showing Madigan confidant Michael McClain didn’t trust incoming utility boss Joseph Dominguez, a former federal prosecutor.

Chicago Sun-Times

Telephone conversation between Michael McClain and John Hooker and Anne Pramaggiore | ComEd Exhibit 136-T

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

Chicago Sun-Times

Telephone conversation between Michael McClain and John Hooker | ComEd Exhibit 126-T

Michael McClain says, “We had to hire these guys because Mike Madigan came to us. That’s, it’s that simple.”

Chicago Sun-Times

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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

‘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

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

Elusive former top aide offers inside look at how Michael Madigan wielded power — and helped muster votes on bill pushed by ComEd

Will Cousineau took the witness stand after securing letters from the feds granting him immunity and making clear he’s not a target of an investigation. Then he listened as prosecutors played a December 2018 call he’d participated in and which was secretly recorded by the FBI.

Chicago Sun-Times

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ComEd was pressured to hire politically connected law firm as it fought for key bills in Springfield, former top official testifies

ComEd’s former general counsel said he was told to sign the law firm of political operative Victor Reyes to an unusual three-year contract guaranteeing Reyes’ firm 850 hours of legal work a year.

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

ComEd bribery trial kicks off, Johnson and Vallas backpedal public safety comments 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

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.

Chicago Sun-Times

Judge allows secret ComEd recordings to be released, emergency COVID benefits end for SNAP recipients 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

It’s not Madigan’s trial, but the feds’ big upcoming case is all about the former speaker

Jurors at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse are expected to get a close-up look at how Springfield operated in the last decade when four political power players head to trial.

Chicago Sun-Times

ICC chief Carrie Zalewski pulling plug on job, says it’s not sparked by looming ComEd trial involving father-in-law

She says she doesn’t expect to be a witness in the trial of four people accused of trying to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to benefit ComEd. Ex-Ald. Mike Zalewski, her father-in-law, has a role in the trial but isn’t charged.

Chicago Sun-Times

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Chicago Sun-Times

Secret recordings of Madigan, allies won’t be released beyond courtroom, judge rules

U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber said releasing the recordings to the public would “sensationalize the trial more than we want.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Trial of 4 caught up in Madigan’s ComEd bribery scandal delayed by one week

The four were indicted in November 2020 and accused in a nearly decadelong scheme to sway Madigan. They allegedly landed his associates jobs, contracts and money while legislation crucial to ComEd’s bottom line moved through Springfield.

Chicago Sun-Times

Garcia mentioned in recording during feds’ ComEd probe

The congressman, who is running for mayor of Chicago, is not accused of wrongdoing, and his spokesperson told the Sun-Times on Friday that he “is not involved in any investigation in any manner.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Another revelation from Madigan’s wiretapped convos, CTA tries to exorcise ghost buses and more in your Chicago news roundup

Today’s update is a 5-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

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Chicago Sun-Times

Former Speaker Michael Madigan’s racketeering trial set for April 2024

Madigan is accused of leading a “criminal enterprise” for nearly a decade designed to enhance his political power and generate income for his allies and associates. He ended his record-breaking tenure as Illinois’ House speaker amid the burgeoning scandal two years ago.

Chicago Sun-Times

Trial of 4 charged in ComEd bribery case rescheduled for March

The four are accused of arranging for then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s associates and allies to get jobs, contracts and money in order to influence Madigan as key legislation worked its way through Springfield.

Chicago Sun-Times

ComEd bribery case might not go to trial until 2023 — thanks to R. Kelly

U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber presides over both cases, which had been scheduled for back-to-back trials this year. The ComEd case involves former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s co-defendant, Michael McClain.

Chicago Sun-Times

Mike Madigan ally Michael McClain complained to ex-speaker’s son about people ‘offended’ by favors, new filing reveals

Michael Madigan’s son Andrew has not been accused of wrongdoing. But his name was made public Thursday as allegedly taking part in a conversation tied to his father’s bribery charges.

Chicago Sun-Times

Feds insist on jury trial for group accused of conspiring to bribe Michael Madigan

Defense attorneys in the case made the surprise move last month of telling U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber they’d prefer that case go forward as a bench trial — decided by the judge — rather than as a jury trial.

Chicago Sun-Times

Feds want to keep September trial in case involving Madigan co-defendant McClain

But in a surprise move during a status hearing Wednesday, Michael McClain’s defense attorney told the judge the defendants would prefer to have it go forward as a bench trial — decided by the judge — rather than as a jury trial. Prosecutors must agree to that request.

Chicago Tribune

Michael Madigan case a study of how Illinois’ cozy politics morphs into alleged crime

At its core, the alleged bribery scheme involving ex-Speaker Michael Madigan and utility giant Commonwealth Edison is an alarmingly familiar lesson on how often-cozy relationships between business leaders and politicians can catch the attention of federal prosecutors.

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