During the proceedings, attorneys for the government told jurors
the four used lobbyists known to have close ties with then-House
Speaker Mike Madigan to make it easier to steer him the $1.3
million in jobs, contracts and payments they allege were doled
out to him over the life of the years-long scheme, all while
making it a point to never name the subcontract workers on any
of the contracts.
Charged in the pay-for-play scheme are longtime Madigan
associate Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore,
one-time ComED lobbyist John Hooker and former ComEd contact
lobbyist Jay Doherty, who also once served as the head of the
City Club civic group.
Each of the four has pleaded not guilty to charges that include
conspiracy and bribery. In a separate case, Madigan faces a
23-count indictment that includes racketeering, bribery and
official misconduct charges that is expected to go to trail
around this time next year. He too has pleaded not guilty.
All morning long a steady stream of ComEd and Exelon employees
took to the stand to face questions prosecutors hoped bolstered
their allegations about how things worked, which they said
included switching subcontractors from one payroll to another if
the move was deemed to be necessary to keep the scheme going.
Jurors heard testimony one-time Madigan-staffer turned state
lobbyist Shaw Decremer was also a central part of the operation,
as was close Madigan associate Victor Reyes, who by then was in
charge of the firm the Roosevelt Group.
Prosecutors also spent time giving jurors the inside story of
how they contend the bond between Madigan and Pramaggiore seemed
to blossom overnight, with the two once hosting an event at the
Field Museum together and later traveling to Turkey with other
officials for an event held on behalf of a foundation they
sponsored.
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