Judge denies defense motion to exclude some evidence in former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan trial

Ex-aide Will Cousineau testifies for 3rd day

ByMichelle Gallardo

Friday, November 1, 2024

Ex-aide Will Cousineau testifies for 3rd day

Longtime Madigan aide Will Cousineau returned to the stand for a third day.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thursday began in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's federal corruption trial with a motion to exclude some evidence.

Defense attorneys filed a motion to exclude any references to the creation of documents and phone calls about tax issues with Kevin Quinn.

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The judge ended up denying the motion.

Just after 9:30 a.m., longtime Madigan aide Will Cousineau returned to the stand for a third day.

Cousineau served a dual role as both Madigan's issues director and political director of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

In exchange for his testimony, the government served Cousineau with a letter of immunity, which essentially says he cannot be charged if he testifies truthfully.

During his testimony, Cousineau has given an inside look into how the speaker's office operated under Madigan, and the people who were part of his inner circle.

Often during his testimony, Cousineau seemed reluctant to answer or did so in a low voice.

This is the third time Cousineau has been called to testify in a federal case related to Madigan. He was previously called both during the ComEd Four Trial and during the perjury trial of Tim Mapes, Madigan's former chief of staff.

Cousineau's voice cracked under cross-examination Thursday, as Madigan's attorney's asked if he'd developed a personal bond with his former boss.

His intense loyalty was on full display, as the jury got to hear several phone calls during which he and Madigan co-defendant Mike McClain discussed ways to protect the then-speaker and help his allies amid growing scandal.

The jury listened intently as the government played a wiretapped phone call between Cousineau and McClain.

It was June 6, 2018, and Madigan's Chief of Staff Tim Mapes had resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.

"I think it's time to get a real PR firm in here," Cousineau was heard saying. "Somebody who's dealt with real (expletive), someone who's been around the Clinton impeachment. And It's going to cost us a ton of (expletive) money, but if it saves him so be it."

A recording of Will Cousineau talking to Mike McClain has been released to the public.

The call was released to the public later Thursday.

Months earlier, it was McClain who rallied the Madigan troops, when, on Feb. 21, he sent an email to several of those in the speaker's inner circle.

"If we want to protect and save MJM, we cannot play punchy bags above the belt. It is time to be offensive," it said.

Copied on that email was 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn. A week earlier, his younger brother, Kevin Quinn, had been forced out of his ward office job by Madigan, also amid sexual harassment allegations.

And yet, months later, McClain was recorded calling on Cousineau to join in on an effort to provide Quinn with $1,000-a-month for six months under the guise of him doing work for Cousineau's lobbying firm.

"This is totally a consultant," McClain said. "And as far as I'm concerned, other than the people signing on to it, nobody needs to know about it, other than our friend."

Later in the phone call, McClain is heard telling Cousineau he should start his own company, so he can help the speaker's allies when called upon to do so.

"At one point in time, I had five consultants working for me," McClain said. "And all they did was give me pieces of paper."

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

The trial could last three months.