Chicago City Wire

The sweeping corruption scandal that dethroned former speaker Michael Madigan – the longest-serving speaker in the history of the country – is preparing to deepen as four former employees of ComEd are set to undergo trial. 

Jury selection is set to begin in the case against former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, alleged Madigan bag man Michael McClain and former City Club President Jay Doherty who are accused of participating in a $150 million bribery scheme at the behest of Madigan. However, audio recordings used in the case against the defendants will be barred from release to the press, according to the judge’s orders. 

“JUST IN: The judge has agreed with the defense and barred prosecutors from giving copies of the audio recordings in the ComEd Four case to the media after they're played in court, saying it "would sensationalize the trial more than we want,” the Chicago Tribune’s Jason Meisner wrote on Twitter. 

Meisner said the move was unusual. 

“This seems to go against most trials I've covered here, including the Blagojevich case and even major gang trials like the recent Wicked Town RICO prosecution," Meisner tweeted. "The precedent has been that the press, as representatives of the public, have a 1A right to published exhibits.”  

The trial is expected to last two months at the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse. The tapes being blocked from the press likely include a damning piece of audio in which Madigan proclaims those connected to the bribery scandal “made out like bandits.” The defendants are accused of setting up patronage jobs for Madigan loyalists, fixing contracts in favor of those connected to the Chicago Democrat machine as well as providing cash and then later covering up the bribery through false accounting. 

“They are accused of arranging for jobs, contracts and money for certain Madigan associates in an illegal bid to influence him as the legislation affecting ComEd moved through Springfield, where Madigan held considerable sway,” the Chicago Sun-Times wrote. 

ComEd admitted to the scheme and paid a $200 million fine.

Madigan controlled all incoming bills on the House floor during his time atop the legislative body. That gave him complete say on what bills would and would not be heard during legislative sessions, according to WTTW.

John R. Lausch, Jr., former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, who was heading the prosecution effort recently resigned, Chicago City Wire reported.

Madigan will go to trial in April 2024 on 22 counts of corruption in relation to ComEd and one in relation to a separate bribery scheme with AT&T. Despite being stripped of his leadership position in the General Assembly and the Democrat party leadership, Madigan was reportedly active in the last election cycle while under indictment. He has also taken the remaining $10 million in his campaign fund to use for his defense fund.