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.
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.
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.
