Mike Madigan trial updates: Defense cross-examines star witness in former IL speaker trial

Defense attorneys were working to dismantle damning testimony from an ex-ComEd exec Tuesday.

Through dozens of emails, phone calls and even undercover in-person meetings, Fidel Marquez has helped prosecutors paint a portrait of what appeared at times to be a non-stop stream of jobs that for years flowed from the utility giant to Madigan's allies, whether qualified or not.

ComEd lobbyist and Madigan confidant McClain was the ever-present intermediary who would transmit the requests. By 2019, those requests were costing the company over $2 million a year.

"You are not saying it was to trade jobs at ComEd for Madigan taking action on ComEd legislation?" Cotter asked.

"Looking on it favorably to my mind is an action," Marquez said.

"These are all favors you do to build the relationship, right?" Cotter asked.

Marquez said, "yes."

But, even as the defense tries to convince the jury that McClain was not requesting bribes for Madigan but simply doing his job as a lobbyist, they will also be hoping to make them forget wiretapped conversations like this 2018 call between McClain and Madigan's son, Andrew.

"Right, I just love these people that, they are in a regulatory body, right? And they're offended if people ask for favors. Hello? Dumb (expletive)," one was heard saying.

Marquez was still being cross-examined when the court adjourned Tuesday.

He will return for his fifth day of testimony Wednesday.

Fidel Marquez answered questions on ComEd job recommendations during cross-examination.

At one point, in reference to any frustrations with how ComEd was handling its business, Marquez said he understood "if this was not resolved in a favorable manner to Madigan that would hurt ComEd."

He also said co-defendant Mike McClain didn't issue orders.

Marquez testified about former Attorney General Lisa Madigan's proposal to give lower rates to lower income customers while increasing the rates to other ComEd customers.There were concerns, he said.

The defense attorney noted no one went directly to Madigan to stop it, though.

A defense attorney Tuesday worked to portray co-defendant Mike McClain as a good lobbyist.

Attorney Patrick Cotter continued to cross-examine star witness Fidel Marquez, and worked to make McClain out as doing his job, building and maintaining good relationships between Mike Madigan and ComEd.

Marquez said Exelon had a code of ethics, but didn't have any specifics regarding lobbying.

An exhibit showed ComEd paid close to $2 million for lobbying in 2017.

Marquez also said Madigan "didn't trust ComEd."

Tuesday morning attorneys discussed the legislative strategies and code words used during phone calls.

There was some discussion about the energy bills in Springfield that would be favorable to both ComEd and Exelon.

McClain's attorney asked Marquez if he had told the FBI in the past that he "never saw evidence of speaker Madigan taking any action to defeat or advance a bill that ComEd opposed or supported."
"I may have," he said.

Marquez added he pleaded guilty to trade action on jobs to consider ComEd's legislative agenda favorable.