{"id":2389395,"date":"2025-01-12T16:30:58","date_gmt":"2025-01-12T21:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/showdown-between-ex-speaker-and-prosecutors-set-for-monday-at-corruption-trial-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-01-12T16:32:16","modified_gmt":"2025-01-12T21:32:16","slug":"showdown-between-ex-speaker-and-prosecutors-set-for-monday-at-corruption-trial-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/showdown-between-ex-speaker-and-prosecutors-set-for-monday-at-corruption-trial-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Showdown between ex-speaker and prosecutors set for Monday at corruption trial &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fshowdown-between-ex-speaker-and-prosecutors-set-for-monday-at-corruption-trial-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2389395&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the\u2062 upcoming \u200ccourt \u2063proceedings \u200dinvolving former Illinois House Speaker\u2064 michael Madigan, \u2064who is facing\u200c off against U.S. prosecutors in a corruption trial on monday at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. Madigan, along with his associate Michael McClain, has been charged with 23 counts that include bribery, racketeering, and \u200d<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/delaware-state-auditor-indicted-on-corruption-charges\/\" title=\"Delaware State Auditor Indicted on Corruption Charges\">official misconduct<\/a> related \u200bto what prosecutors have termed\u200c &#8220;The Madigan\u200c enterprise.&#8221; The charges stem \u200bfrom allegations that companies like \u2063ComEd\u200d and AT&#038;T Illinois provided jobs and\u200b contracts to individuals aligned with Madigan in exchange for favorable legislation. \u2064Notably, Madigan surprised many by taking the witness stand in his own \u2064defense the previous Tuesday.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Showdown between ex-speaker and prosecutors set for Monday at corruption trial<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1932594\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-announces-new-legal-team-for-impeachment-defense-after-previous-team-collapsed\/\" title=\"Trump Announces New Legal Team For Impeachment Defense After Previous Team Collapsed\">government attorneys<\/a> are expected to face off Monday morning at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Madigan surprised many observers when he reported to the witness stand last Tuesday in his own defense. The former speaker and his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-trump-please-pardon-jon-woods-a-victim-of-process-crimes-like-michael-flynn\/\" title=\"President Trump, Please Pardon Jon Woods, a Victim of Process Crimes Like Michael Flynn\">longtime associate<\/a>, codefendant Michael McClain, are charged with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct in connection with a scheme government attorneys called &ldquo;The Madigan Enterprise.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors allege that ComEd and AT&amp;T Illinois gave out no-work or little-work jobs and contract work to those loyal to Madigan to get legislation passed that would benefit them in Springfield. Four ComEd executives and lobbyists were convicted last year in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mtg-rips-gop-hypocrites-in-abandoning-jan-6-riot-suspects\/\" title=\"MTG slams GOP &#039;hypocrites&#039; for ditching Jan. 6 riot suspects\">related trial<\/a>, and ComEd itself agreed to pay $200 million in fines as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with prosecutors.<\/p>\n<p>Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins said jurors may shift their focus from prosecutors proving their case to Madigan&rsquo;s credibility on the stand.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;When a defendant takes the stand, whether in this case or in another case, as a practical matter, I think the jurors now get focused on, &lsquo;Is this defendant credible? Is his story and his narrative holding up?&rsquo; Rather than did the government prove its case, it becomes a referendum on whether the defendant is credible,&rdquo; Collins said.<\/p>\n<p>Madigan took questions from defense attorney Dan Collins and from McClain attorney Patrick Cotter last week. Madigan answered, &ldquo;I do not recall&rdquo; on several occasions and said at least once, &ldquo;I have no direct knowledge.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The general denials that started and ended Mr. Madigan&rsquo;s testimony, now you&rsquo;re going to see sort of the devil in the details, and I do think the prosecutor is going to poke and prod and use these tapes,&rdquo; Collins said.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors introduced an estimated 200 recordings while presenting their case over the last three months. The trial began Oct. 8, 2024 with jury questioning.<\/p>\n<p>Collins said the government has a seasoned group of attorneys, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Amar Bhachu expected to cross-examine the former speaker.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That dynamic between Mr. Bhachu and Mr. Madigan will be significant. You know jurors, people forget these are not robots doing this. These are human beings. Does Mr. Bhachu get under Mr. Madigan&rsquo;s skin, and what&rsquo;s the back and forth with them?&rdquo; Collins said.<\/p>\n<p>After jurors left the courtroom last Wednesday, Bhachu went through a list of seven requests for Judge John Robert Blakey in the wake of Madigan&rsquo;s testimony. Bhachu asked for Blakey&rsquo;s permission to play a recording from 2018 in which Madigan and McClain were laughing and talking about people &ldquo;making out like bandits&rdquo; and not doing any work, in contradiction with Madigan&rsquo;s testimony.<\/p>\n<p>Blakey said he would allow the recording to be played but said it might not be admitted until the government&rsquo;s rebuttal after the defense case is finished.<\/p>\n<p>The judge has not yet ruled on a 2009 interview in which Madigan discussed his use of the patronage system. Bhachu sought to introduce the conversation to demonstrate that Madigan did not <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">simply distribute jobs<\/a> to people who wanted work but also sought to add to his political workforce.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Madigan served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021 and was speaker for all but two years between 1983 and 2021. He chaired the Democratic Party of Illinois for 23 years and also led Chicago&rsquo;s 13th Ward Democratic Organization.<\/p>\n<p>McClain was a longtime lobbyist who previously served as a state representative in Illinois&rsquo; 48th district from 1973 to 1982.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1932594\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1932594\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Madigan and prosecutors to clash Monday at corruption trial<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2389396,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP22061777913472-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[8773,48370,5169,12152,4853],"class_list":["post-2389395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-corruption","tag-ex-speaker","tag-prosecutors","tag-showdown","tag-trial"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP22061777913472-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2389395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2389395"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2389395\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2389399,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2389395\/revisions\/2389399"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2389396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2389395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2389395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2389395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}