Prosecutors, defense won't delay Madigan trial after Supreme Court
ruling
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[July 10, 2024]
By Brett Rowland | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Federal prosecutors and defense attorneys said
they won't seek to delay the high-profile corruption trial of former
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, despite a ruling from the U.S.
Supreme Court.
Madigan's defense team also voiced concerns about pre-trial publicity.
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of a federal bribery
statute that makes it a crime for state and local officials to accept
gifts valued at over $5,000 from a donor who had previously been awarded
contracts or other government benefits thanks to the official's efforts.
The nation's highest court narrowed the scope of the federal bribery
statute to exclude gratuities – payments or rewards made after an
official act. The 6-3 decision could affect how prosecutors across the
country pursue public corruption cases.
In the case of Madigan, both defense attorneys and prosecutors said they
plan to continue forward with a scheduled trial date on Oct. 8,
according to a joint status report issued late Monday.
The joint status report noted differences in how the sides plan to
approach issues such as jury selection, jury questionnaires and how to
question prospective jurors.
Madigan's team also raised concerns about pre-trial publicity.
"Defendant Madigan intends to file a motion seeking jury selection
related relief based on the undue prejudice from pretrial publicity on
or before August 28, 2024," according to the joint court filing.
"Defendant Madigan seeks to file this motion closer to the start of
trial to allow for the fullest possible evaluation of the impact of
pretrial publicity that continues to occur every day."
Prosecutors requested a chance to review and reply to the motion when it
is filed.
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![](../images/071024PIX/news_c6.jpg)
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan walks out of the
Everett M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Wednesday, Jan. 3,
2024. - Brett Rowland | The Center Square
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2024/Jul/10/images/ads/current/bees_lda_HEROES_2024.png)
Madigan served in the Illinois House from 1971 to 2021, as speaker
from 1983 to 1995 and again from 1997 to 2021. That made him one of
the state's most powerful politicians, especially given his role as
head of the Democratic party in the state. He faces 23 counts of
racketeering, bribery, and official misconduct as part of a federal
indictment. Madigan has pleaded not guilty.
Madigan was initially charged along with convicted former lawmaker
and lobbyist Michael McClain in March 2022 with 22 counts of
racketeering and bribery for his alleged improper dealings with the
state's largest utility, ComEd. Prosecutors further alleged that he
used his political power to unlawfully steer business to his private
law firm, Madigan & Getzendanner. In October 2022, prosecutors filed
a superseding indictment that charged Madigan and McClain with
conspiracy related to an alleged corruption scheme involving AT&T
Illinois.
A jury convicted McClain in a separate case in May 2023 involving
similar allegations, but he has yet to be sentenced in that case..
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2024/Jul/10/images/ads/current/ldn_smallsda_BUSINESSMAG_2023.png) |