Springfield, Ill. (Ap). Michael Madigan’s staggering political collapse is expected to end on Friday, when the longest -service legislative leader in US history has been convicted of federal bribery, conspiracy and court fraud related to a scheme for pushing laws in exchange for work and contracts.
Former Chairman of the Illinois Palace in February. Was sentenced to 10 out of 23 calculations through a great corruption trial, which lasted four months. The case included 60 witnesses and mountain documents, photographs and tape conversations.
Madigan will appear in the US District Court on Friday in Chicago, where Judge John Robert Blakey will determine his sentence.
Federal prosecutors reach 12 1/2 years’ imprisonment. Madigan’s lawyers seek probation by claiming that the government’s punishment would “condemn an 83 -year -old man to die for bars for crimes that enriched him several cents.”
During the legislative career covering half a century, Madigan served for almost four decades as chairman, the longest US legislator. Together with the chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party for more than 20 years, he has identified most of the state political agenda and candidates for political duties. Mostly he also controlled the political formation of maps by drawing lines to welcome his party.
Meanwhile, according to prosecutors, the Chicago Democrat has created a private legal career that allowed him to raise the net value of $ 40 million.
Madigan was convicted of 10 bribery, conspiracy, wiring fraud and other accusations for ensuring the approval of the legislation, favorable to a giant of utilities, in exchange for back messages and jobs and contracts for loyalists, including Chicago Alderman, who is looking for a paid job at the State Board after the government left the government.
The jury blocked six cases, including a total racket conspiracy tax, and acquitted it to seven others.
“Madigan’s criminal activity lasted almost a decade and was particularly brutal as it has made efforts to enrich herself by maintaining her political power, ensuring your political allies and trying to associate their pockets with the legal business,” prosecutors wrote in the court application. “In doing so, Madigan served his personal interests, not the inhabitants of Illinois.”
Defense attorneys called the sentence recommended by the Government as “dragonous” and, given the age of Madigan, life punishment. They asked Blakey to consider the totality of Madigan’s life and work and the need to take care of their wife at the request of a five -year probation sentence when one year was closed at home, a community service and a “reasonable fine”.
In a video submitted to the court, Madigan’s wife Shirley asks for a probation sentence, explaining that Madigan is her guardian and should apply outdoors if she is imprisoned. And she says, “I’m part of it.”
“In some days, I go it,” says Shirley Madigan in the video. “He also supports me and sometimes, but I think the effect I have for him was much, much bigger.”
The court received more than 200 support for Madigan letters, many of the voters, friends, non -profit organizations leaders and other organizations that communicate with the state. Some noted that they had only once asked for his help. Most praised him for dedication, honesty or personal touch.
“Mike Madigan is a good person who did not consume a distinctive amount of good to others,” his lawyers wrote in a separate application. “He is widely respected for his dedication to honesty and honesty.”
Tested with Madigan was his former legislative colleague and longtime trustee Michael McClaine. The jury could not make a decision on none of the six calculations against McClaine. However, he was convicted of a separate trial for last year’s comedy conspiracy.