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March 29, 2024

Mike Madigan Federally Indicted; 22 Counts –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On March 2, 2022

CHICAGO, IL. (ECWd) –

Northern District of Illinois just released a 22-Count Federal Indictment of former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Michael Madigan and Michael McLain.

PRESS RELEASE:
Former Illinois Speaker of the House Indicted on Federal Racketeering and Bribery Charges in Connection With Alleged Corruption Schemes

CHICAGO — A federal grand jury in Chicago today indicted former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives MICHAEL J. MADIGAN on racketeering and bribery charges for allegedly using his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates.

The 22-count indictment accuses Madigan of leading for nearly a decade a criminal enterprise whose purpose was to enhance Madigan’s political power and financial well-being while also generating income for his political allies and associates.  The charges allege that Madigan, who served as Speaker and occupied a number of other roles, including Representative of Illinois’s 22nd District, Committeeman for Chicago’s 13th Ward, Chairman of both the Illinois Democratic Party and the 13th Ward Democratic Organization, and partner at the Chicago law firm of Madigan & Getzendanner, used these positions to further the goals of the criminal enterprise.  The indictment alleges that Madigan directed the activities of his close friend – co-defendant MICHAEL F. MCCLAIN – and that McClain carried out illegal activities at Madigan’s behest.  Madigan and McClain allegedly caused various businesses, including the utility company Commonwealth Edison, to make monetary payments to Madigan’s associates as a reward for their loyalty to Madigan, at times in return for performing little or no legitimate work for the businesses.

Madigan, McClain, and other members of the enterprise allegedly unlawfully solicited benefits from businesses and other private parties.  The indictment accuses Madigan of engaging in multiple schemes to reap the benefits of private legal work unlawfully steered to his law firm, including legal work from those with business before the State of Illinois and City of Chicago.

Madigan, 79, of Chicago, is charged with racketeering conspiracy and individual counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery, wire fraud, and attempted extortion.  McClain, 74, of Quincy, Ill., is charged with racketeering conspiracy and individual counts of using interstate facilities in aid of bribery and wire fraud.

Arraignments in U.S. District Court in Chicago have not yet been scheduled.

The indictment was announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI; and Justin Campbell, Special Agent-in-Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Division in Chicago.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet S. Bhachu, Diane MacArthur, Timothy J. Chapman, Sarah E. Streicker, Michelle Kramer, and Julia Schwartz.

“Corruption by an elected official and his associates undermines the public’s confidence in our government,” said U.S. Attorney Lausch.  “The indictment alleges a long-term, multifaceted scheme to use public positions for unlawful private gain.  Rooting out and prosecuting the kind of corruption alleged in the indictment will always be a top priority for this office.”

“Our elected officials swear an oath to carry out the duties of their office,” said FBI SAC Buie.  “When they dishonor that oath, it erodes the trust we have in our officials to do the right thing for our communities, and the FBI and its partners stand ready to stamp out corruption at any level of government.”

“IRS Criminal Investigation provides financial investigative expertise in our work with our law enforcement partners,” said IRS-CI SAC Campbell.  “Our hallmark expertise in following the money trail in this type of case shows our agency is committed to rooting out public corruption.  Today’s indictment underscores our commitment to this work in a collaborative effort to promote honest and ethical government at all levels, and to prosecute those who allegedly violate the public’s trust.”

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Read the Indictment here or below:

030222-wls-madigan-indictment-full-doc

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7 Comments
  • Greg G
    Posted at 18:08h, 02 March

    A lot of folks will not be sleeping tonight, Waiting for the FBI to come after them. Madigan will rat out anyone he ever helped and that is a lot of people! The bad thing is Madigan is an old man near the end of his life! Too bad he won’t live very long in prison and that’s where he is going!

    Great day in Illinois Madigan is going down!

  • Susan Calabria
    Posted at 18:28h, 02 March

    It’s about time Madigan and his cronies go down for all the bullshit!@

  • John Manspeaker
    Posted at 20:40h, 02 March

    And Lisa never saw or suspected a thing! Wonder if she is sweating this tonight.

    • Cal Scigalski
      Posted at 13:17h, 03 March

      Great point, John! Clearly, she provided cover for his corrupt acts, while doing her Joan of Arc impersonation as the beloved protectress of the people. Did she never advise her father on the consequences of his actions? I don’t believe he never confided in her about his dealings.

  • Jack Tarleton
    Posted at 21:57h, 02 March

    I am reading the 106-page indictment with a nice small batch bourbon and a big smile!

  • Wilbur Mills
    Posted at 06:28h, 03 March

    Of course, as a condition of bail, Mike will have to surrender his passport. But the big question on everyone’s mind is; will he lose his private table at Saputo’s Restaurant in Springfield. That just might be the hardest thing of all for him.

  • John Weaver
    Posted at 09:07h, 03 March

    Let us hope to see prosecution!

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