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.
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.
Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday morning, after months of testimony.
The government formally rested just minutes after the jury was seated.
After this week, the jury will be off for the holidays, and return Jan. 2.
Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday morning, after months of testimony.
The government formally rested just minutes after the jury was seated.
After this week, the jury will be off for the holidays, and return Jan. 2.
It's been 8 and a half weeks since the trial started.
Former federal prosecutor Chris Hotaling joined ABC7 to talk about what to expect from the defense and if Madigan will take the stand.
Two witnesses sought to impeach former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo's testimony Tuesday.
"I never asked anybody for a no-show job," said Acevedo, who previously stated he asked Madigan for help getting business after leaving the General Assembly.
Acevedo blamed his memory issues on a 2022 dementia diagnosis. But remembered enough to insist he gave oral reports to AT&T contract lobbyist Michael Lieteau. Those statements were promptly contradicted by Lieteau himself, who on the stand said Acevedo had a poor reputation in Springfield.
"I think he occasionally drank too much. There were occasions when he fell off a bar stool or insulted people," Lieteau said.
Acevedo's testimony was further impeached by FBI agent Kyle Scherrer, who was present during an interview with Acevedo in 2019.
Scherrer said Acevedo told prosecutors he never did, nor was assigned any work by either AT&T or ComEd during his employment with them.
The government is expected to formally rest Wednesday.
There have been 38 days of testimony over eight and a half weeks.
But, the trial is far from over.
The spotlight now turns to the defense teams of Michael Madigan and his co-defendant, Mike McClain.
Once the government formally rests, McClain's defense team is to be first up.
It's unclear how much of a defense either man will present, with neither Madigan nor McClain expected to take the stand in their own defense.
