Mike Madigan trial updates: Defense rests case in federal corruption trial

Trial lasting months

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Last updated: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 9:04PM GMT
Defense rests case in trial of former Illinois House Speaker Madigan
The defense rested its case in former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's bribery and corruption trial on Thursday.

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.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
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Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM

Defense rests case

The defense rested its case Thursday in Mike Madigan's federal corruption trial

Both Madigan's attorneys and Mike McClain's attorneys also filed motions for acquittal, which were denied.

The judge also denied McClain's motion to sever his case from Madigan's.

The jury will return Wednesday morning for closing arguments, which are expected to last three days.

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Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM

Madigan wraps up testimony

Madigan finished his testimony Tuesday afternoon, after making the surprising decision to take the stand in his own defense.

It's still not clear if his gamble will pay off.

Michelle Gallardo Image
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

Madigan's former law partner on stand

Madigan's former law partner Bud Getzendanner is on the stand Tuesday afternoon.

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Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

ComEd manager of emergency preparedness testifies

A ComEd manager of emergency preparedness was next to testify as a defense witness.

Eric Duray was questioned about the ComEd-Roosevelt Group contract and then about the Jay Doherty contract.

Duray noted that there was no mention in any of the documents that subcontractors were getting paid in those two contracts.

He also said he had no knowledge of Ed Moody, Frank Moody, Ray Nice or Michael Zalewski, Jr.

Duray was also asked about the process of getting consultant contracts and renewal of contracts.

WLS logo
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

Madigan wraps up testimony

Madigan finished his testimony Tuesday afternoon, after making the surprising decision to take the stand in his own defense.

It's still not clear if his gamble will pay off.

WLS logo
Feb 10, 2025, 4:31 PM GMT

Madigan speaks on appointments

Madigan was also questioned about some of his recommendations and appointments.

At one point, Madigan bragged to Solis that he got an 11th Precinct captain appointment to Labor Relations after he recommended him to the Quinn administration, saying, "See, I got him appointed."

A prosecutor asked Madigan what he meant by that.

"I recommended him to the Quinn administration, and he got appointed," Madigan said Tuesday.

Madigan also helped Ray Nice get an appointment. In March 2015, Jesse White appointed Nice for an employment security position, which paid $15,000 a year.

Madigan also talked about the request he received to give Jeffrey Rush a "second chance" by helping him find a job.

Rush was fired by the Department of Corrections for having a relationship with an inmate.

Madigan attorney Dan Collins noted that that the hiring of Rush by Friends of Michael J. Madigan Hiring was in publicly filed documents.

Bhachu also asked about the effort to get a job for Jaime Andrade's wife.