Federal appeals court upholds former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan corruption conviction

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A federal appeals court upheld the conviction of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan Monday.

Madigan is serving a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence in Morgantown, West Virginia for corruption.

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Madigan did not attend a hearing earlier this month, during which new attorneys made his case.

His new legal team made the case that he was wrongfully convicted, and the jury was improperly instructed on how to view the evidence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz countered during her arguments that contrary to defense claims, the bribery charges had enough specific elements to meet the legal standards needed for conviction.

Madigan was convicted last year on 10 corruption counts, including bribery, racketeering and wire fraud. The jury found he schemed with ComEd executives, who provided jobs for Madigan associates in exchange for help with legislation.

Madigan asked President Donald Trump for a pardon late last year.

A clemency case has been opened and the petition is under review.

Madigan was disbarred, after the conviction.