Michael McClain gets 24-month sentence in ComEd Four bribery case linked to Mike Madigan

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The third member of the so-called ComEd Four was sentenced Thursday.

Michael McClain walked into the Dirksen federal courthouse Thursday morning.

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He was sentenced to 24 months in prison.

He must report to prison Oct. 30.

He asked to be sent to Springfield, Missouri or Rochester, Minnesota.

McClain, now 77, is in poor health, and undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.

In issuing his sentence Thursday, Judge Manish Shah said accommodations would be made, but he did turn to McClain, saying, "you preferred secrecy and lies. You preferred Mr. Madigan. The consequences are yours to bear."

He was considered former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's right-hand man in a bribery scheme.

ComEd allegedly paid out more than $1.3 million to a handful of Madigan associates with the expectation that the speaker would help them in Springfield.

"I would say to you don't put anything in writing," McClain was heard saying in an undercover recording.

At trial, McClain was often seen and heard discussing the "no-show jobs" and their concealment, as dozens of undercover recordings were played for the jury.

"We're not monitoring his workload. Whether or not Mike Zalewki's earning his five grand a month, that's up to Jay Doherty," McClain was heard saying.

Prosecutors asked for a 70-month prison sentence.

McClain has been seen and heard over the course of three federal trials.

He was convicted over two years ago in the ComEd Four scheme.

And six years ago, the FBI raided McClain's home in Quincy, Illinois.

Sentencing for the so-called ComEd four has been delayed. It was first delayed because of a Supreme Court decision that ultimately led to several bribery counts being dismissed, then due to the original judge's death.

Madigan, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore have also already received their sentences.

Madigan was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison and a $2.5 million fine.

McClain was also a co-defendant in Madigan's trial.

The former House speaker officially filed an appeal Wednesday, and is asking to remain free while that process plays out.

And while it is unlikely, McClain's legal troubles may not end here.

Federal prosecutors may still choose to retry him on the charges for which jurors could not reach a verdict during his joint trial with Madigan.

Pramaggiore was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay a $750,000 fine.

Hooker was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay a $500,000 fine and special assessment of $500.

The final of the ComEd Four defendants, Doherty, will be sentenced on Aug. 5.