Posted on 11/19/2020 4:01:15 AM PST by PBRCat
Federal prosecutors marched deeper into House Speaker Michael Madigan’s inner circle Wednesday, charging longtime confidant Michael McClain and ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore in a bribery scheme designed to curry favor with the powerful Southwest Side Democrat.
Also named in the 50-page indictment are ex-top ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and Jay Doherty, the former president of the City Club, who was accused of helping to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars to three people with ties to Madigan’s 13th Ward.
All four are charged in a document that also makes frequent references to ex-ComEd executive Fidel Marquez, who has already pleaded guilty to bribery. And it repeatedly mentions “Public Official A,” who is not named — but is clearly identified as Madigan.
The details of the new indictment track closely with those revealed in July when federal prosecutors charged ComEd with bribery in a bombshell case that has continued to reverberate politically in the four months that have passed. It prompted a legislative probe of Madigan’s dealings with ComEd, and it has led to questions about whether Madigan will be able to hold onto power.
ComEd agreed to pay a $200 million fine — believed to be the largest criminal fine ever in Chicago’s federal court. And while it formally pleaded not guilty in court, it admitted to many of the feds’ allegations in a so-called deferred prosecution agreement. If ComEd abides by its terms, the bribery charge filed in July will likely be dismissed.
The new indictment alleges that McClain, Pramaggiore, Hooker and Doherty arranged for Madigan’s associate and allies to get jobs, contracts and money — even while doing little or no work — “for the purpose of influencing and rewarding” Madigan.
He’s also the most powerful politician in the State of Illinois.
L
The clintons, obama and thier criminal empire still walk free
Every problem in the state of Illinois can be traced to Michael Madigan. He’s run the legislature for 40 years.
The Madigans are DIRTY DEMOCRATS! Redundant, I know.
We’ve been gouged by Comed for years to pay for this scheisse. Again, they nail everyone but the democrat politician at the heart of it.
A so-called deferred prosecution agreement. If ComEd abides by its terms, the bribery charge filed in July will likely be dismissed.
Every day it look like money overrides justice.
Freeze Money Inc. winks
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