Defense cross-examines star witness in former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan trial

ByMichelle Gallardo

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Defense cross-examines star witness in Madigan trial Tuesday

After a four-day break, the defense cross-examined a star witness on Tuesday in Michael Madigan's federal corruption trial.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- After a four-day break, defense attorneys cross-examined a star witness in former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's federal corruption trial at the Dirksen Federal Building on Tuesday.

So far, prosecutors had drilled in on Fidel Marquez.

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But, on Marquez's fourth day on the stand Tuesday, co-defendant Mike McClain's attorney asked Marquez if he had told the FBI in the past that he "never saw evidence of speaker Madigan taking any action to defeat or advance a bill that ComEd opposed or supported."

"I may have," he said.

Attorney Patrick Cotter worked to make McClain out as doing his job as a good lobbyist, building and maintaining relationships between Madigan and ComEd.

Mike Madigan trial live updates: Defense to begin cross examination in fmr. IL House speaker trial

Marquez said Exelon had a code of ethics, but didn't have any specifics regarding lobbying.

Marquez also said Madigan "didn't trust ComEd."

Bit-by-bit, defense attorneys sought to dismantle the sometimes damning testimony offered over the last week by former ComEd executive Marquez.

Through dozens of emails, phone calls and even undercover in-person meetings, Marquez has helped prosecutors paint a portrait of what appeared at times to be a non-stop stream of jobs that for years flowed from the utility giant to Madigan's allies, whether qualified or not.

ComEd lobbyist and Madigan confidant McClain was the ever-present intermediary who would transmit the requests. By 2019, those requests were costing the company over $2 million a year.

"You are not saying it was to trade jobs at ComEd for Madigan taking action on ComEd legislation?" Cotter asked.

"Looking on it favorably to my mind is an action," Marquez said.

"These are all favors you do to build the relationship, right?" Cotter asked.

Marquez said, "yes."

But, even as the defense tries to convince the jury that McClain was not requesting bribes for Madigan but simply doing his job as a lobbyist, they will also be hoping to make them forget wiretapped conversations like this 2018 call between McClain and Madigan's son, Andrew.

"Right, I just love these people that, they are in a regulatory body, right? And they're offended if people ask for favors. Hello? Dumb (expletive)," one was heard saying.

Marquez pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy to bribe Madigan by providing no-work jobs to those close to the then-Illinois House speaker.

He's one of two men, along with former Alderman Daniel Solis, who turned government mole in exchange for reduced sentences related to their own legal woes.

Marquez was still being cross-examined when the court adjourned Tuesday.

He will return for his fifth day of testimony Wednesday.

Madigan and McClain face bribery and racketeering charges.

The trial is expected to last into December.