Former ComEd executive and cooperating government witness Fidel Marquez has returned to the witness stand for a sixth day of testimony at the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and codefendant Michael McClain.
Marquez pleaded guilty to bribery in 2020 and agreed to cooperate with the federal government’s corruption investigation. Part of Marquez’s cooperation involved his agreement to wiretapped conversations.
Marquez previously testified in the ComEd Four trial last year, in which McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and former contract lobbyist Jay Doherty were convicted of conspiracy, bribery and willfully falsifying records.
Before the jury was seated Thursday, U.S. government attorneys suggested that they might enter names and outcomes of other cases that are relevant to the Madigan trial. Madigan defense attorney Dan Collins argued that discussing the results of those cases would cross the line and would not have probative value against Madigan. McClain attorney Patrick Cotter joined Collins’ objection and added that the results of other cases would be extrinsic evidence that would not change Marquez’s deal with the government and would not be an appropriate rehabilitation of Marquez as a witness.
Prosecutor Amar Bhachu argued that the issue was raised prior to the trial and cited Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals approval in previous cases.
District Judge John Robert Blakey said everything the government was asking for would not be admissible. Blakey ruled that facts of other cases and charges in those cases would be admissible for the rehabilitation of the witness, but he excluded the introduction of the results of other cases. Blakey said that Marquez could say that he testified against individuals in other cases as long as he did not reveal the outcome of those cases.
Following the discussion, jurors took their seats at 9:17 a.m. and Bhachu began redirect questioning of Marquez. The former ComEd executive testified that his cooperation with the government was not solely based on the case involving Madigan and McClain.
Marquez agreed that he previously testified against Pramaggiore, Hooker and Doherty in prior proceedings. Marquez also said that he was prepared to testify against ComEd if called to do so. Marquez said his cooperation agreement with the government depended on Marquez making truthful testimony.
Madigan and McClain are charged with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct in connection with a scheme that federal prosecutors called the “Madigan Enterprise.” According to the U.S. government, Madigan and McClain used Madigan’s public office to secure little- to do-nothing jobs for their associates by advancing legislation favorable to ComEd.
Greg Bishop and Brett Rowland contributed to this story.
