After being found guilty of trading legislation for the benefit of his friends and allies, Michael Madigan, the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history and former speaker of the Illinois House, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and fined $2.5 million on Friday, capping off a stunning decline in his political career.
The 83-year-old was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Chicago by U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey.
In a stunning four-month corruption trial, Madigan—dubbed the “Velvet Hammer” for his quiet but tough demeanor—was found guilty on 10 of 23 counts in February.
In addition to 60 witnesses, the case had countless papers, photos, and recorded conversations.
Federal prosecutors requested a sentence of 12 1/2 years in prison.
Madigan’s lawyers requested five years of probation, arguing that he is a kind man who has attempted to act responsibly towards taxpayers and needs to be at home to care for his sick wife, Shirley, who gave the court a filmed message asking her husband to be allowed to return home.
However, Blakey pointed out that federal sentencing guidelines permitted a 105-year sentence based on evidence found, particularly that Madigan committed perjury when he testified in his own defence.
What Blakey described as “a nauseating display of perjury and evasion” particularly drew his attention.
“You lied. You did not have to. You had a right to sit there and exercise your right to silence,” Blakey stated.
“But you took the stand and you took the law into your own hands.”
Madigan held the position of speaker for almost 40 years, the longest tenure ever held by a U.S. lawmaker, during a legislative career that lasted 50 years.
He hand-picked candidates for political office and established a large portion of the state’s political agenda during his more than two decades as the Illinois Democratic Party’s chairperson.
He was also in charge of political mapmaking most of the time, creating lines that favoured his party.
Prosecutors said that the Chicago Democrat had accumulated a $40 million nett worth from a private law practice.
In exchange for kickbacks, contracts, and jobs for loyalists, such as a Chicago alderman looking for a paid position on a state board after leaving government, Madigan was found guilty on ten counts of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, and other offences for securing the passage of legislation that favoured utility giant ComEd.
He was found not guilty on seven counts and deadlocked on six others, including a general racketeering conspiracy allegation.
Before being sentenced, Madigan made a brief plea to be spared prison time so that he could take care of his wife and live out his remaining years with his family.
Madigan remarked, “I’m truly sorry for putting the people of the state of Illinois through this.”
“I tried to do my best to serve the people of the state of Illinois. I am not perfect.”
Blakey mentioned the many letters that were sent to the court in support of Madigan throughout the three-and-a-half-hour hearing.
According to the judge, Madigan was a good neighbour and a good family man who helped his neighbours without hesitation.
“But being great is hard,” he continued. Honesty isn’t. Crimes are difficult to commit. In fact, it requires work.
Sarah Streicker, an assistant U.S. attorney, emphasised that Madigan has not expressed regret or accepted responsibility for the offences.
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Having been speaker through seven governors, Madigan “had every opportunity to set the standard for honest government,” according to Streicker.
“He fit right into the mould of yet another corrupt leader in Illinois,” she stated instead.
Given Madigan’s age, defence attorneys have referred to the government’s suggested punishment as “draconian” and a life sentence.
In their recommendation for a sentence of five years of probation with one year of home confinement, community service requirements, and a “reasonable fine,” they asked Blakey to take into account Madigan’s entire life and career as well as his need to care for his wife.
Shirley Madigan stated that she needed her husband to return home in a video that was turned in to the court.
She remarked, ““I really don’t exist without him.”
“I wish I could say that I do, but I don’t know what I would do without Michael. I would probably have to find someplace to live and I’d probably have to find care.”
Michael McClain, a longtime confidant and former legislative colleague, tried alongside Madigan. On all six of the charges against McClain, the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
However, he was found guilty of the ComEd conspiracy in a different trial last year.
