Former ComEd general counsel testifies on ex-IL Speaker Mike Madigan influence for 2nd day

ByMichelle Gallardo

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 10:46PM

Ex-ComEd attorney testifies on Madigan influence for 2nd dayEx-ComEd attorney Tom O'Neill returned to the stand Tuesday in former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's federal corruption trial.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Ex-ComEd attorney Tom O'Neill returned to the stand Tuesday in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's federal corruption trial.

He resumed his testimony just after 9 a.m., and remained on the stand nearly all day.

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He spoke of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's influence in the naming of Juan Ochoa to the ComEd Board.

An email was brought into evidence from Madigan's administrative assistant April Burgos.

It was sent to ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, and included Ochoa's resume.

It said, "Hi Anne, Speaker Madigan asked me to send this to you. Please confirm. Thanks, April."

At the time, Jesse Ruiz was stepping down from the ComEd Board. The board was mainly an advisory board, and the role came with a $78,000-a-year paycheck.

O'Neill, who was in his new role at Exelon at the time, said he was forwarded Ochoa's resume, and a background check began.

O'Neill said he spoke with Pramaggiore sometime in 2018 about his concerns over having someone connected to the speaker on the board, but Pramaggiore said it was important he be selected.

Mike Madigan trial LIVE updates: Former ComEd attorney resumes testimony in Madigan trial

"It seemed to me bad optics to have someone directly connected to the speaker on the board," said O'Neill of his conversation with Pramaggiore, adding that, "she acknowledged that, but she was interested in having Mr. Ochoa on the board. She believed there was a need to maintain good relations."

Pramaggiore, who along with McClain and two others, was convicted last year of attempting to bribe Madigan in exchange for his help getting legislation favorable to ComEd passed, eventually got her way.

Ochoa was the only candidate considered for the job, and, despite it taking over a year, he was named to the board in April of 2019.

O'Neill said he later learned others, including Rahm Emanuel, supported him, as well.

O'Neill was also asked if he thought lobbying was legal and necessary. He said "yes."

Defense attorneys finally got their chance to question O'Neill Tuesday. So far, he has provided the most in-depth look at ComEd's decision to provide contracts and jobs to Madigan's political allies.

Madigan's attorney Daniel Collins tried to raise doubt on the Reyes Kurson legal contract, saying it's possible Mike McClain could have just used Madigan's name instead of working at Madigan's request.

His attorneys appeared to be working Tuesday to convince the jury what McClain did was legal lobbying.

"Was it sometimes your practice to hire someone because one of the things they could bring to the job was their connections to elected officials?" McClain's defense attorney Patrick Cotter asked.

"Sometimes, yes," O'Neill said.

On Monday, O'Neill got to the heart of the corruption charges against Madigan and his co-defendant, McClain.

Prosecutors drew a direct line between ComEd legislation pushes and a contract entered into by ComEd, in October 2011, with Reyes Kurson, a law firm headed up by Victor Reyes, a political ally of Madigan's.

Former Madigan aide Will Cousineau took the stand in the afternoon.

He also testified in the ComEd Four trial about how Madigan wielded power.

The former Illinois House speaker is accused of a sophisticated bribery and racketeering scheme.

The trial could last three months.