SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Closing arguments in ComEd bribery trial set for Monday

By HANNAH MEISEL
Capitol News Illinois
hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com

CHICAGO – After nearly six weeks, a federal jury has heard almost all the evidence in the bribery trial of three ex-lobbyists for electric utility Commonwealth Edison and its former CEO who are accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Prosecutors allege the four arranged for Madigan allies to get jobs and contracts with ComEd in exchange for the powerful speaker’s help with their legislation in Springfield. Defendants contend they were merely engaging in above-board lobbying.

Attorneys for three of the four defendants rested their case Wednesday afternoon, while the marquee defendant in the case, Madigan confidant and longtime ComEd lobbyist Mike McClain, indicated he would not be calling any witnesses. The jury will begin hearing closing arguments on Monday.

On Thursday, prosecutors and defense lawyers will negotiate over jury instructions, which could be key to the outcome of the case.

“I am optimistic, perhaps more so than you guys, that it will be a smooth instruction conference,” Judge Harry Leinenweber quipped to the parties after the jury had been sent home Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, longtime ComEd lobbyist John Hooker finished hours of testimony that had the jury laughing when he underwent questioning from his own attorney, followed by a withering cross-examination from the government.

At one point during questioning from Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz, Hooker contradicted the testimony of codefendant Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd’s former CEO. At issue was a wiretapped call featuring Hooker and former ComEd executive Fidel Marquez, recorded in the third month of Marquez’s cooperation with the government in April 2019.

In the call, Hooker related to Marquez that he’d spoken with Pramaggiore about hiring Madigan’s former chief of staff, who the speaker had been forced to fire the previous year after sexual harassment allegations. At the time, Pramaggiore had already been in her new role at ComEd’s parent company, Exelon, for nearly a year.

“I was talking with Anne and she told me that she’s looking at…bringing Mapes on,” Hooker told Marquez. “Now Mapes would work with her, cause she says, ‘I wanted to kinda, well let’s pay him but hide his contract in someone else’s.’”

On Tuesday, Pramaggiore confirmed that she had been considering hiring Mapes for a national project she was working on, although she ultimately never did. However, she claimed she never told Hooker she wanted to “hide” Mapes’ contract in a subcontracting arrangement. Subcontracting is not illegal.

“No, I have no recollection of having a conversation like that with Mr. Hooker,” Pramaggiore said.

But one day later, Hooker was confronted with that same call.

“Did you hear Ms. Pramaggiore testify yesterday that that conversation didn’t happen?” Schwartz asked Hooker. “Was Ms. Pramaggiore telling the truth about that?”

Hooker replied that “to the best of my recollection,” he and Pramaggiore did talk about putting Mapes on a consulting contract with McClain, as he’d said in the recorded phone call.

“You wouldn’t have lied to Mr. Marquez about what Ms. Pramaggiore told you, would you?” Schwartz asked.

“No, I would not lie,” Hooker said.

The jury has at this point heard from nearly 50 witnesses, dozens of recordings from wiretapped phone calls, four videos secretly recorded by Marquez, and hundreds of emails and texts. Both the government and defense have used them to educate the jury on the nature of lobbying and the reality of political work in Illinois. And, as McClain attorney Patrick Cotter warned them in his opening arguments, “some of it is not pretty.”

“Why?” Cotter said in mid-March when the trial began. “Because politics…can be raw, politics can be ugly.” 

But in addition, the defense has also emphasized the monotony, hard work and frustration that goes into lobbying for the sorts of big-ticket legislation at issue in the case. Numerous witnesses testified that it took two to three years for two of the biggest bills supported by ComEd in the last decade or so to evolve from ideas on paper into law.

And sometimes, Cotter emphasized Wednesday, the brass tacks of politics and strategy in Springfield can be rather boring, if not simplistic: The thing Madigan valued most in politics was remaining speaker of the Illinois House.

“Mr. Hooker, after all those decades [of lobbying in Springfield]…did you ever, at any point, believe it was possible that Speaker Madigan would agree to trade his support for ComEd legislation in exchange for some jobs for some people he recommended?” Cotter asked. “Did you ever believe that was possible?”

Hooker said he did not.

“Did you ever believe for one minute that Speaker Madigan would risk his speakership and his power to get a few more people hired at ComEd…on a bill that the whole state was watching?” Cotter asked, his voice rising.

Again, Hooker said he did not.

Cotter asked if Hooker would’ve ever advised ComEd to bribe Madigan – “did you think that was a good idea?”

No, Hooker said.

“It was crazy, wasn’t it?” Cotter said.

“It’s a bad idea,” Hooker said.

The fourth defendant in the case, ComEd lobbyist Jay Doherty, only called one witness in his case: The Rev. Monsignor Kenneth Velo, who testified he wouldn’t be in the courtroom as Doherty’s sole character witness “if I didn’t think of John as a man of complete integrity.”

The two knew each other from Chicago’s philanthropic scene, overlapping on missions such as Misericordia and the Big Shoulders Fund. Velo, an ordained Catholic priest, is also an administrator at DePaul University.

The jury will return for closing arguments in the trial at 10 a.m. Monday.

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

Leave a Comment





Local News

Father Bill Killeen

Retired St. Patricia pastor cleared of sexual abuse allegation

The Archdiocese of Chicago has cleared retired Father William Killeen of allegations of sexual abuse following an investigation. Father Killeen, who served as an associate pastor at St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills from 1982 to 1989, had been accused of abusing a minor over 40 years ago during his time at the parish. The…

dvn 11-8-24 la grange park district

LaGrange park district improvements advance with voter support

Voters approved a $13.86 million referendum for the Park District of La Grange on Tuesday, with 74 percent voting in favor. With 10 of 12 precincts reporting, 5,340 yes votes were recorded, compared to 1,898 no votes, according to the Cook County Clerk’s website. “We’re very excited,” said Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park…

A blue ribbon flutters lightly on a tree outside West Lawn’s Hubbard HS in honor of slain police officer Enrique Martinez, a neighborhood graduate. The ribbon, a symbol of fallen police officers who died serving their community can sometimes be seen with a black background representing mourning. The color blue represents the “thin blue line” officers are sworn to defend, according to memorialribbon.org.

Slain West Lawn CPD Officer Martinez shooting suspect charged

A 23-year-old man has been charged with the shooting death of Officer Enrique Martinez, a Hubbard High School graduate and West Lawn resident, who was killed in the line of duty on Chicago’s South Side. The fatal encounter has reignited citywide concerns over rising gun violence and its toll on both residents and law enforcement.…

Oak Lawn Park District hosted its annual Howl-O-Ween on Oct. 19 at the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge, located at 109th Street and Laramie Avenue in Oak Lawn. (Supplied photos)

Oak Lawn’s Howl-O-Ween Brings Thrills, Chills, and Family Fun

On a crisp October evening, the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge transformed into a magical, spooky wonderland as families gathered for Oak Lawn’s annual Howl-O-Ween celebration. Laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves, while costumed children raced from one activity station to the next, collecting treats and creating memories under the twilight sky. The Oak Lawn Park…

Jill Stein’s suburban campaign stop in Orland Park. (Photos by Julius Allen)

Presidential candidate Jill Stein advocates for People Power at Green Party Forum in Orland Park

Nonprofit organizations Al Hub and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) co-hosted a Q&A forum on Wednesday, Oct. 16, featuring Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein. Held at an office building in Orland Park, located at 16101 S. 108th Avenue, the event showcased the Green Party’s focus on community-driven activism, branding itself as a…

The Oak Lawn girls volleyball team won the SSC Red title for the second year in a row. (Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn Community High School)

Oak Lawn girls volleyball repeats at SSC Red champs

The Oak Lawn Community High School girls volleyball team opened the season steamrolling the competition. In fact, they repeated as champions at the Fenton Bison Blast-off Tournament, and didn’t even lose a single set before heading into their own Spartan Classic in late September. They finished fourth there, but they learned how to react when…

Wolniak Funeral Home has erected a huge Day of the Dead altar. (Photo by Kathy Headley)

Wolniak Funeral Home celebrates Day of the Dead

The 102-year-old Wolniak Funeral Home has served generations of families throughout the years. Sitting on the southwest corner of 57th and Pulaski, the Polish Funeral Home is reaching out with what they are calling a “legacy of love to the community.” Respecting the traditions and heritage of the Hispanic members of the community, the folks…

Burbank Police Chief Jack Garcia discusses most recent arrest and ticket numbers and the support for the 12-hour schedule change at the Oct. 23 meeting. (Photo by Sean Kirchman)

Burbank police adopt a 12-hour work schedule

Burbank police will make permanent a trial program that moved them from working eight-hour tours to now working 12-hour shifts. The city approved the work schedule at its Oct. 23 city council meeting. The city confirmed the 12-hour work schedule memorandum of understanding with the Illinois Council of Police. This means that Burbank police officers,…

Karen Wasko

Drunken driver sentenced to 11 years in Summit trustee’s fatal crash

The driver responsible for the St. Patrick’s Day 2023 crash that killed former Summit village trustee Karen Wasko has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. Judge John “Terry” Gallagher handed down the sentence to Joel Velazco Jr., 23, during a hearing Thursday in Room 110 of the Bridgeview Courthouse. Wasko’s daughters, Nicole and Kelly,…

Damian Macias

Bridgeview man faces felony charges in carjacking, armed robbery spree

Two men were charged Thursday with multiple felonies after a series of armed robberies and a carjacking in Chicago, authorities said. James Robinson, 21, of the 100 block of East 119th Street in Chicago, and Damian Macias, 21, of the 8800 block of South Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, were arrested by the Citywide Vehicular Hijacking…

Neighbors

Father Bill Killeen

Retired St. Patricia pastor cleared of sexual abuse allegation

The Archdiocese of Chicago has cleared retired Father William Killeen of allegations of sexual abuse following an investigation. Father Killeen, who served as an associate pastor at St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills from 1982 to 1989, had been accused of abusing a minor over 40 years ago during his time at the parish. The…

dvn 11-8-24 la grange park district

LaGrange park district improvements advance with voter support

Voters approved a $13.86 million referendum for the Park District of La Grange on Tuesday, with 74 percent voting in favor. With 10 of 12 precincts reporting, 5,340 yes votes were recorded, compared to 1,898 no votes, according to the Cook County Clerk’s website. “We’re very excited,” said Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park…

A blue ribbon flutters lightly on a tree outside West Lawn’s Hubbard HS in honor of slain police officer Enrique Martinez, a neighborhood graduate. The ribbon, a symbol of fallen police officers who died serving their community can sometimes be seen with a black background representing mourning. The color blue represents the “thin blue line” officers are sworn to defend, according to memorialribbon.org.

Slain West Lawn CPD Officer Martinez shooting suspect charged

A 23-year-old man has been charged with the shooting death of Officer Enrique Martinez, a Hubbard High School graduate and West Lawn resident, who was killed in the line of duty on Chicago’s South Side. The fatal encounter has reignited citywide concerns over rising gun violence and its toll on both residents and law enforcement.…

Oak Lawn Park District hosted its annual Howl-O-Ween on Oct. 19 at the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge, located at 109th Street and Laramie Avenue in Oak Lawn. (Supplied photos)

Oak Lawn’s Howl-O-Ween Brings Thrills, Chills, and Family Fun

On a crisp October evening, the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge transformed into a magical, spooky wonderland as families gathered for Oak Lawn’s annual Howl-O-Ween celebration. Laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves, while costumed children raced from one activity station to the next, collecting treats and creating memories under the twilight sky. The Oak Lawn Park…

Jill Stein’s suburban campaign stop in Orland Park. (Photos by Julius Allen)

Presidential candidate Jill Stein advocates for People Power at Green Party Forum in Orland Park

Nonprofit organizations Al Hub and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) co-hosted a Q&A forum on Wednesday, Oct. 16, featuring Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein. Held at an office building in Orland Park, located at 16101 S. 108th Avenue, the event showcased the Green Party’s focus on community-driven activism, branding itself as a…

The Oak Lawn girls volleyball team won the SSC Red title for the second year in a row. (Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn Community High School)

Oak Lawn girls volleyball repeats at SSC Red champs

The Oak Lawn Community High School girls volleyball team opened the season steamrolling the competition. In fact, they repeated as champions at the Fenton Bison Blast-off Tournament, and didn’t even lose a single set before heading into their own Spartan Classic in late September. They finished fourth there, but they learned how to react when…

Wolniak Funeral Home has erected a huge Day of the Dead altar. (Photo by Kathy Headley)

Wolniak Funeral Home celebrates Day of the Dead

The 102-year-old Wolniak Funeral Home has served generations of families throughout the years. Sitting on the southwest corner of 57th and Pulaski, the Polish Funeral Home is reaching out with what they are calling a “legacy of love to the community.” Respecting the traditions and heritage of the Hispanic members of the community, the folks…

Burbank Police Chief Jack Garcia discusses most recent arrest and ticket numbers and the support for the 12-hour schedule change at the Oct. 23 meeting. (Photo by Sean Kirchman)

Burbank police adopt a 12-hour work schedule

Burbank police will make permanent a trial program that moved them from working eight-hour tours to now working 12-hour shifts. The city approved the work schedule at its Oct. 23 city council meeting. The city confirmed the 12-hour work schedule memorandum of understanding with the Illinois Council of Police. This means that Burbank police officers,…

Karen Wasko

Drunken driver sentenced to 11 years in Summit trustee’s fatal crash

The driver responsible for the St. Patrick’s Day 2023 crash that killed former Summit village trustee Karen Wasko has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. Judge John “Terry” Gallagher handed down the sentence to Joel Velazco Jr., 23, during a hearing Thursday in Room 110 of the Bridgeview Courthouse. Wasko’s daughters, Nicole and Kelly,…

Damian Macias

Bridgeview man faces felony charges in carjacking, armed robbery spree

Two men were charged Thursday with multiple felonies after a series of armed robberies and a carjacking in Chicago, authorities said. James Robinson, 21, of the 100 block of East 119th Street in Chicago, and Damian Macias, 21, of the 8800 block of South Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview, were arrested by the Citywide Vehicular Hijacking…