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 House Speaker Mike Madigan sat down for what he claimed was his
first-ever deposition in September 2018, new documents show.
The deposition proceedings arose from a lawsuit filed by Madigan’s 2016
Democratic primary opponent Jason Gonzales, which alleges Madigan abused his
political power by “register[ing] two sham candidates with Hispanic last names
to split up the Hispanic vote.”
The Chicago Tribune obtained a copy of Madigan’s deposition along with those of
his top political operatives. The Chicago Sun-Times published the Madigan
deposition in full.
The two candidates joining Madigan and Gonzales on the primary ballot were Joe
Barboza and Grasiela Rodriguez. But unlike the typical political campaigns,
neither Barboza nor Rodriguez filed financial reports with the state indicating
they raised or spent money. Gonzales attorney Tony Peraica asked Madigan about
those candidates in the Sept. 13 deposition.
“Did you reach out to any of your political allies to try to get additional
candidates onto the 22nd District primary ballot?” Peraica asked.
“I don’t remember that,” Madigan said.
“Is it possible that you did?” Peraica asked.
“No,” Madigan responded.
“So you’re certain that you didn’t?” Peraica asked.
“I don’t remember,” Madigan said.
Madigan’s top political aides at the time offered far more color in their
depositions, according to the Tribune.
“I had asked [Cicero politician] Charlie [Hernandez] to see if Joe [Barboza]
would be interested in running as a Democrat,” said former Madigan political
lieutenant Kevin Quinn. “I had simply reached out to Charlie to see if Joe had
an interest,” he said. “I never heard back from Charlie.”
Quinn was removed from Madigan’s political operation in 2018 after campaign
worker Alaina Hampton accused Quinn of sexual harassment.
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Another key Madigan
political operative, Shaw Decremer, confirmed in his deposition that
he transported and submitted the necessary signatures for Rodriguez
and Barboza to appear on the ballot.
“Why would you be bringing Grasiela Rodriguez’s petitions who is an
opponent of Michael Madigan to file for her?” Peraica asked.
“Because someone asked me to,” Decremer said.
“Who?” Peraica asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t recall,” Decremer said.
Decremer also left Madigan’s operation in 2018 after a state
lawmaker accused him of bullying and “abuse of power.”
Gonzales’ original lawsuit, in addition to claims of Madigan filing
sham candidates, alleged defamation by the speaker for publicizing
Gonzales’ criminal record and claiming it prevented Gonzales from
holding office. As a teenager, Gonzales was convicted of felony and
misdemeanor charges related to illegally using credit cards at
shopping malls. But those records had all been sealed or expunged
pursuant to a 2015 pardon from former Gov. Pat Quinn.
Gonzales’ lawsuit was dismissed in March 2017. The court allowed
Gonzales to file an amended complaint and then dismissed that
complaint as well, in June 2017. But Gonzales petitioned the court
to alter its judgment dismissing his case, and on Sept. 11, Judge
Matthew F. Kennelly granted Gonzales’ motion and reversed course.
Months after the 2016 primary ended, Illinois Policy Action produced
a documentary on Madigan featuring an interview with Gonzales, news
footage covering the primary race and footage of the announcement of
Gonzales’ lawsuit. Lawyers for Madigan sought to depose Illinois
Policy Institute employees as part of that lawsuit, but a judge
denied those requests.
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