Longest-serving legislative leader in US history given 7 1/2 years in federal corruption case
The longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history has been sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison on federal corruption charges. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey in Chicago. Madigan was also fined $2.5 million, the statutory maximum. The 83-year-old Madigan was convicted in February of 10 of 23 counts, including bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud charges. Prosecutors charged that Madigan routinely traded legislation favorable to utility giant ComEd for contracts and no-work jobs for his associates and allies. The government sought a 12 1/2-year sentence for Madigan and a $1.5 million fine. Madigan’s lawyers asked for five years’ probation, community service and a “reasonable” fine.
