‘The Corrupt Way Was the Way It Was’: Government Ends Closing Arguments in Michael Madigan’s Landmark Trial
Prosecutors began wrapping up their final summations Friday on Day 3 of closing arguments in the former speaker’s landmark trial by presenting an overview of how the various bribery and corruption schemes alleged in the government’s 23-charge indictment all come together under count one: racketeering conspiracy.
As closings begin in Madigan trial, here's a look at the lawyers' target audience: The jury
Michael Madigan’s jury is made up of ordinary Illinoisans whose lives have likely been affected by the former speaker, given his record-breaking 36-year tenure as the leader of the Illinois House of Representatives.
Feds wrap argument against Madigan: 'The corrupt way was the way it was'
To convict Michael Madigan of a racketeering conspiracy, jurors will need to find that Madigan or his close ally agreed that two so-called racketeering acts would be committed — not that they were actually carried out.
Afternoon Briefing: Defense begins closing arguments in Madigan corruption trial
Good afternoon, Chicago. Attorneys for Michael Madigan opened their final bid to persuade jurors of his innocence by hearkening back to a memorable nickname for the former speaker: the Sphinx. “The Sphinx is,
Ex-Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan ‘abused the tremendous power he wielded,’ prosecutor says as closing arguments begin
Ex-House speaker Michael Madigan, formerly the most powerful man in Illinois politics, “conspired to enhance and preserve (his) power and line his pockets” for years, prosecutors said at the outset of marathon closing arguments in Madigan’s corruption trial.
Defense closing arguments begin in Mike Madigan federal corruption trial
Madigan's defense attorney Dan Collins, when he began his own closing arguments Friday afternoon, rebutted that the government's case wasn't as strong as it would like the jurors to believe. He argued it relied on jurors' cynicism regarding politicians to fill in evidentiary gaps.
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan defense begins closing arguments in corruption trial
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan's defense team began their final presentation to the jury just after lunch Friday, following a 12-hour closing argument delivered by the government over two and a half days.
Wiretaps key to Michael Madigan corruption trial
Real estate lawyer Michael Madigan, a lawmaker for 50 years, is accused of using ComEd as his “personal piggy bank.”
‘Used and abused their positions': Closing arguments continue in Madigan corruption trial
Friday concluded day three of closing arguments in the corruption trial for former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan and longtime political advisor Michael McClain.
The ‘Make Michael Madigan Money Plan’ was powerful speaker’s focus, feds argue in waning days of corruption trial
In his testimony earlier this month, former House Speaker Michael Madigan cast himself as a champion of the working class, a consensus-builder who used his power to bring people together on legislation and protect constituents from greedy utilities and corporations.
Feds in Madigan trial continue to lay out ‘corrupt exchange’ between ex-Illinois speaker and ComEd
Michael Madigan was so important to ComEd’s legislative agenda in Springfield that the utility was willing to bend over backwards to make the then-powerful House speaker happy, showering his cronies with do-nothing contracts,
Madigan's attorney makes his case to the jury: 'The government sees the myth. They do not see the man.”
It's the final presentation from Madigan’s attorneys before jurors begin to deliberate the sweeping racketeering conspiracy ...
Prosecutors describe ‘Make Mike Madigan Money Plan’
Prosecutors say the “Make Mike Madigan Money Plan” helped the former Illinois House speaker’s law firm gain profits.