Ex-IL Speaker Michael Madigan finishes testimony after tough prosecutor questioning in trial

Michelle Gallardo Image
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 10:44PM
Madigan finishes testimony after tough prosecutor questioning in trial
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan finished his testimony Tuesday after tough prosecutor questioning in his federal corruption trial.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan finished his testimony Tuesday, after tough questioning from prosecutors.

When Madigan chose to take the stand, his decision stunned most legal and political observers. He went through four days of questioning.

The former Illinois House speaker went up against seasoned government prosecutors determined to prove his guilt.

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Madigan spent the better part of the last two days attempting to lawyer himself out of giving direct answers, frequently resorting to caveats to explain his words or actions.

A prosecutor Tuesday morning questioned Madigan on his understanding of the law.

"You know that it is unlawful for a public official to accept a personal benefit when you know that person is trying to influence official action?" Assistant U.S. Attorney Amar Bhachu said.

Madigan responded, "yes."

Bhachu argued former Alderman-turned-government-mole Danny Solis' intention was to bring him legal business in exchange for a state board position.

Madigan said these were requests for an introduction meeting.

Bhachu also grilled Madigan regarding his comments to Mike McClain about putting a knife into then-Senate President John Cullerton, who was also their son's godparent.

Bhachu asked Madigan, "So, you elected to put a knife into his back?"

McClain had asked Madigan how his meeting had gone with Gov.-elect JB Pritzker.

Mike Madigan trial live updates: Ex-speaker finishes testimony after tough prosecutor questioning

"I think it went pretty well. It got, you know, I put the knife into Cullerton three or four times," Madigan said.

Madigan testified he said that figuratively because of Cullerton's negative advertisement against him.

Madigan was also questioned about some of his recommendations and appointments.

At one point, Madigan bragged to Solis that he got an 11th Precinct captain appointment to Labor Relations after he recommended him to the Quinn administration, saying, "See, I got him appointed."

A prosecutor asked Madigan what he meant by that.

"I recommended him to the Quinn administration, and he got appointed," Madigan said Tuesday.

On Monday, Madigan answered questions for about three and a half hours.

Gone were the mostly sympathetic questions from his legal team, as the government took their turn.

It's still too early to determine whether the former speaker's high-stakes gamble will pay off or backfire, as the more than three-month bribery trial enters its final stretch. Madigan is clearly hoping it will pay off.

During his testimony last week, Madigan sought to portray himself as a thoughtful, non-confrontational leader, who sought to help those who asked, as a matter of course.

But, he denied any wrongdoing, insisting that any jobs or contracts given to his allies or to his own private tax law firm were not bribes given in exchange for any action on his part.

Madigan, once known as the Velvet Hammer, has hardly come across as a sympathetic or convincing figure.

He dismissed his once famously close friendship with co-defendant McClain as just one of many, and appeared reluctant to answer yes or no to even the most basic of questions.

At one point, Judge John Blakey admonished the former speaker.

"You need to answer the question posed. Just answer the question posed," Blakey said.

But, the jury doesn't have to like Madigan to acquit him.

There were no knockout blows delivered Bhachu, who relied on a line-by-line dissection of Madigan's statements delivered both in court and in undercover recordings.

One recording in particular was brought up again Tuesday, this time on re-direct as Madigan's attorneys allowed their client to explain he was referring to Springfield lobbyists in general and not to the political allies ComEd allegedly gave no-work jobs to as a way to curry favor with the speaker.

In it, Madigan says to McClain, "Some of these guys have made out like bandits Mike."

The former speaker's defense team has indicated they still have at least three more witnesses to call before resting their case.

Madigan's former law partner, Bud Getzendanner, is on the stand Tuesday afternoon.

Closing arguments are set to begin next week.

Jury selection in the bribery trial began Oct. 8.

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