Trial expected to last months
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The corruption trial for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has begun.
Madigan had been indicted on federal racketeering and bribery charges as a part of what federal prosecutors call "the Madigan enterprise," where they say he allegedly committed crimes for his personal gain and that of his political allies.
The blockbuster trial is expected to take several months.
Check back with ABC7 Chicago for live updates.
After a four-day break, defense attorneys prepared to begin cross examination on Tuesday.
Last week, prosecutors have drilled in on star witness Fidel Marquez for three days.
Video recordings between Mike McClain and Fidel Marquez were played for the jury Wednesday.
In the videos, they discussed ComEd's renewal of the Doherty contract, and how to justify the amounts to the new CEO, Joe Dominguez.
Fidel Marquez was questioned on the ComEd summer internship program Thursday.
Mike McClain would forward several requests from the 13th Ward to Marquez to place certain people or students in the program.
Many were during 2012 to 2015.
It was noted that a lot of the candidates had worked at the Madigan-Quinn Service Office or in the 13th Ward, and at least two of them were hired despite their low GPA.
At least six to 10 positions were given to students from the 13th Ward.
"It was done as a favor for Michael Madigan," Marquez said.
A recording was also played of a conversation between McClain and Marquez about a request from Andrew Madigan.
Marquez said he treated requests from Andrew as if they were coming from Mike Madigan.
Defense attorneys Thursday objected to the use of the word "patronage" at the beginning of the day.
The term was used when questioning Fidel Marquez Wednesday.
The judge noted Mike McClain had used it in a recording; so, it wasn't new.
But, the judge said prosecutors can't use it in a series of questions. They must provide some context and significance.
There is no court Friday or Monday due to Veterans Day.
After Thursday, court will resume Tuesday.
The prosecutors' star witness, Fidel Marquez, is testifying for the third day Thursday in the Madigan trial.
There was discussion about political fundraisers for the Democratic Party of Illinois, organized by Exelon and Reyes Kurson Law Firm.
Recordings and emails were shown regarding the contracts ComEd had with the Reyes Kurson Law Firm and the Roosevelt Group Consulting firm.
Requests were made by Mike McClain, on behalf of Madigan, to ComEd to increase the hours and therefore the compensation.
These requests were during heavy negotiations of the FEJA legislation.They also spoke about Anne Pramaggiore receiving a request to add Juan Ochoa to the ComEd Board of Directors.
