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The Latest Breaking News from Michael McClain

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

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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

Walmart’s plan to close stores slammed, an El Chapo crime saga update 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

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

Prosecution rests in ComEd bribery trial as defense says former CEO Anne Pramaggiore will testify

Prosecutors called three dozen witnesses over four weeks as they sought to prove four former political players conspired to bribe Madigan by arranging for jobs, contracts and money for his allies.

Chicago Sun-Times

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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

Understanding faculty strikes at Illinois public universities, DNC eyes the UC 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

Telephone conversation between Michael McClain and Michael Madigan | ComEd Exhibit 15

Michael McClain and Michael Madigan discuss Juan Ochoa.

Chicago Sun-Times

Telephone conversation between Michael McClain and Anne Pramaggiore | ComEd Exhibit 63-T

Michael McClain and Anne Pramaggiore discuss Juan Ochoa.

Chicago Sun-Times

‘I will keep pressing’: Jurors hear ComEd CEO taking orders after key witness explains appointment to utility’s board

The testimony capped the fourth week in the ComEd bribery trial. Prosecutors have presented nearly all of their evidence and predict they will rest their case by Tuesday.

Chicago Sun-Times

Telephone conversation between Michael McClain and Michael Madigan | ComEd Exhibit 64-T

Conversation between Michael Madigan and Michael McClain about Juan Ochoa.

Chicago Sun-Times

What’s next for CPS after Johnson’s win, flowers for George Freeman 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

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Chicago Sun-Times

Jurors in ComEd bribery trial won’t hear Madigan’s ‘bandits’ quip, judge rules

The ex-speaker’s comment that ‘Some of these guys made out like bandits’ did not refer to the $1.3 million involved in the current trial, defense argued. A judge agreed.

Chicago Sun-Times

FBI raids uncovered no evidence that Madigan allies did any work for ComEd salaries

In 2019, agents searched homes of allies of ex-Speaker Michael Madigan, seizing documents and finding none showing any work was done in exchange for payment.

Chicago Sun-Times

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.

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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

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

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

Telephone conversation between Michael McClain and Michael Madigan | ComEd Exhibit 83-T

McClain and Madigan discuss hiring Jeffrey Rush. McClain says: “-Now that I’m retired, ri-, now that I’m retired, I’m dedicated to Mike Madigan.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Telephone conversation between Michael McClain and Michael Madigan | ComEd Exhibit 113-T

McClain and Madigan discuss a job for Vanessa Berrios.

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.

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.

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