Closing arguments expected next week
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Co-defendant Mike McClain again filed a motion to have his case severed from former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's Tuesday.
He has said that being tried jointly deprives him of a fair trial.
On Wednesday, attorneys were talking about former Alderman-turned-government-mole Danny Solis' testimony.
They said he leaked information to a Chicago Sun-Times reporter, but denied speaking to her on the stand.
Mike Madigan trial live updates: McClain again files motion to sever case in fed corruption trial
FBI Agent Ryan McDonald and Madigan's Chief Legal Counsel Heather Wier Vaught took the stand Wednesday, as well.
Wier Vaught faced a wide array of questions.
Madigan's attorney asked her if the former speaker ever recommended a particular person to her for consideration for a job.
She said, "yes."
It happened a dozen or so times, Wier Vaught said.
She said it was never a demand.
Wier Vaught said she communicated with the Getzendanner law firm at least once a month to ensure that there was no conflict of interest between their clients/potential clients and the speaker of the House.
Wier Vaught was asked about the FEJA (Future Energy Jobs Act) legislation and its passage on Dec. 1, 2016.
She also testified how she advised that they combine the COLR (Carrier of Last Resort) bill with the 911 reform. Wier Vaught recommended moving the bill to Madigan. The bill was eventually called, and it passed.
She said the speaker generally followed her recommendations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur asked Wier Vaught if the speaker of the House had the ultimate authority to call or not call a bill on the House floor.
She said, "yes."
She was also questioned by the prosecution about her reaching out to Madigan aide Will Cousineau the day the FBI raided McClain's house in 2019. They met on a bench at the Illinois State Library.
When asked about the Rauner-Madigan relationship, Wier Vaught said, "We were in the middle of a political war."
At one point during the negotiations, Wier Vaught told Madigan that McClain was driving her crazy.
Madigan said "Treat McClain like a lobbyist."
Wier Vaught said she represented Madigan as the speaker of the House but also in different capacities.
She represented the 13th Ward and the Friends of Michael J. Madigan.
Madigan finished his testimony Tuesday, after four days on the witness stand.
The defense is expected to rest its case Thursday.
Closing arguments are set to begin next week.
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