Trial lasting months
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The corruption trial for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan continues.
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 has taken several months.
Check back with ABC7 Chicago for live updates.
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has taken the stand in his federal corruption trial.
His testimony is likely the most significant of its kind in Chicago's federal court since former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich unsuccessfully tried to convince a jury of his innocence more than a decade ago.
Madigan's defense is expected to consist of three witnesses, including his longtime 13th Ward assistant and a successful novelist, who at one time was the former speaker's top counsel. But, it was the real estate developer, who, in some ways, kicked off this whole investigation, who took the stand first.
It was July 18, 2017, when Madigan first met real estate developer Andy Cretal at his tax law firm office in the Loop. That meeting was, without either man's knowledge, being recorded by 22nd Ward Alderman-turned-government-mole Danny Solis.
At the time, Cretal was looking to build what are now the Union West apartments in the West Loop, Solis' ward. But, it wasn't until weeks earlier, when Madigan called Solis out of the blue asking for an introduction, that the FBI's ears perked up.
The phone call went as follows:
Solis: "Do you know the developer?"
Madigan: "Those people?"
Solis: "Do you know the, uh, people there?"
Madigan: "No, but I'd like to."
Madigan, along with his co-defendant, Mike McClain, are accused of running a criminal enterprise that sought to use his position in Springfield to enrich the speaker and his cronies, partly through illegally steering business to his law firm.
Another video played in court showed an exchange between Solis and Madigan.
Solis: "Did you want to meet?"
Madigan: "Over the phone, you made a comment that there, that there was a quid pro quo."
Solis: "Oh, I'm sorry, yeah."
Madigan: "Yeah."
Solis: "OK."
Madigan: "You shouldn't be talking like that. You're just recommending our law firm."
And yet, as McClain's defense rested Thursday morning, Madigan's attorneys called Andy Cretal to the stand, in the hopes his testimony will help them combat those allegations.
"Did you ever feel threatened, fearful or intimidated into hiring that law firm?" attorney Dan Collins asked.
"I did not," Cretal said.
And yet, during cross-examination, prosecutors asked Cretal if he was concerned that the development would not be authorized if they didn't hire Madigan's law firm.
"That was a concern of mine, yes," he said.
Co-defendant Mike McClain's attorneys rested their case Thursday.
Madigan's attorney called Andrew Cretal to the witness stand next.
He said he is currently doing real estate development.
Cretal was the Union West developer recorded by former Ald. Danny Solis.
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has taken the stand in his federal corruption trial.
His testimony is likely the most significant of its kind in Chicago's federal court since former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich unsuccessfully tried to convince a jury of his innocence more than a decade ago.
Mike Madigan is expected to take the stand in his own defense in his federal corruption trial.
The unexpected revelation will likely stretch the already lengthy trial into late January.
The longtime House speaker's decision to testify is a risk, but it's also a surprise, given the quiet demeanor that was emblematic of his five decades in Springfield, including 36 years as the longest-serving legislative leader in the country.
Attorneys had just finished questioning the eighth defense witness on Tuesday morning before the parties discussed a matter during a sidebar.
When U.S. District Judge John Blakey returned to the courtroom after a post-sidebar recess to his chambers, he asked Madigan if he could approach the bench. But he then changed his mind after attorneys said they needed to further research case law regarding whether the former speaker could testify in his own jury trial but not testify in a possible forfeiture bench trial if he is found guilty.
"So he'll testify now?" Blakey asked Madigan attorney Dan Collins, who indicated that the former speaker would be the next witness.
Prior to the revelation, Madigan's former law partner, Vincent "Bud" Getzendanner, was expected to testify on Tuesday. But Madigan's time on the witness stand could take days or even weeks.
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan could testify as early as Tuesday afternoon in his corruption trial.
Lawyers on both sides are taking a two-hour break to meet separately and together to discuss whether Madigan could waive his right to not testify in his trial.
He was not expected to take the stand.
Former Chief Counsel Justin Cox testified on negotiating legislation involving ComEd and AT&T Monday.
"AT&T wanted total relief. We didn't want to go that far," Cox said.
He told Madigan's defense team that the speaker's office made sure consumers' interests were put ahead of the utility companies when it came to negotiating legislation, adding that Madigan never instructed him "to go easy" on them.
Cox also testified to Madigan's practice of not voting on any bills that might pose a conflict-of-interest related to his private law firm, Madigan and Getzendanner.
Madigan's defense team has said they have witnesses scheduled through Wednesday, including his former law partner, Bud Getzendanner.
