2 members of 'ComEd Four' ordered released on bail, will get new trials: court docs

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An appeals court has ordered the release on bail of two convicted members of the so-called ComEd Four, a spokesperson said.

Both will get new trials.

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The decision came at a hearing Tuesday for lobbyist Michael McClain and former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, according to court documents.

Both had been sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy and falsifying records in the bribery of former House Speaker Michael Madigan.

In 2023, a jury found the two, along with former ComEd executive John Hooker and former City Club CEO Jay Doherty guilty.

Prosecutors alleged the four worked with Madigan to get legislation passed in exchange for jobs for Madigan allies.

Pramaggiore's attorney on Tuesday argued she should get a new trial, since the Supreme Court narrowed the definition of bribery.

SEE ALSO: Blagojevich asking Trump for clemency for ex-ComEd CEO Pramaggiore in bribery case

And McClain's attorney argued his conspiracy counts should be overturned because he was not responsible for ComEd's record-keeping.

A government attorney countered that there was sufficient evidence for the jury to convict.

She argued that the convictions should be upheld.

It's just the latest chapter in a court case that put allegations of corruption in Illinois government on full display.

The judges Tuesday did not provide an explanation for their ruling.

A spokesperson for Pramaggiore said in a statement, "We are very pleased that Anne Pramaggiore will be released on bail forthwith while the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit finalizes its opinion ordering a new trial in light of the intervening Supreme Court decisions rejecting the government's theories. We thank the Seventh Circuit for moving as swiftly as it did to grant bail. It has never made sense that Anne Pramaggiore has served a single day in prison, much less the three months she has served -- for 'crimes' the Supreme Court said did not exist."

An attorney for McClain said, "We are pleased by the court's release order and are looking forward to receiving its opinion."