Roundup: Madigan takes the witness stand
Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 - Posted by Isabel Miller
* Courthouse News Service…
Ex-Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan took the stand in his own federal corruption trial on Tuesday. The surprise move came in the middle of Madigan’s defense case, and upturned estimates of when jurors might begin deliberations.
Several family members attended Madigan’s testimony, including his daughter, Lisa Madigan, who once served as Illinois’ attorney general. Before he took the stand, the family gathered for a meal in the federal courthouse cafeteria.
It can be risky for criminal defendants to testify in their own defense, as, among other concerns, it opens them up to cross-examination under oath. Madigan nevertheless told the court he understood his right to testify and his duty to testify honestly. He took the stand despite the risks involved with waiving one’s Fifth Amendment rights. […]
Before placing Madigan under oath, the [U.S. District Judge Robert Blakey] told attorneys he was “pushing the pause button on the bench trial,” referring to those potential forfeiture proceedings.
* Captiol News Illinois…
Did you ever trade your public office for private gain?” Madigan attorney Dan Collins asked his client almost immediately after beginning his line of questioning early Tuesday afternoon.
“No,” Madigan said, turning to the jury as he gave his answer.
“Did you ever demand a thing of value in exchange for a promise to take official action?”
“No,” Madigan replied again before giving the same answer when asked if he’d ever accepted a “thing of value” in exchange for such a promise.
* Tribune…
Former ComEd executive Fidel Marquez testified earlier in the trial that the hiring was done so that Madigan would look favorably upon ComEd’s legislation.
But Madigan testified there had been no such deal. He said he merely agreed to help friends find work and passed their information along to McClain, and expressed anger that some of them, including Olivo and Nice, had apparently not lifted a finger.
“Frank knew I worked all the time and I expected people associated with me to work all the time,” Madigan said of Olivo. “He should have worked. He should have done his job.”
As for Nice: “My reaction, again, is anger,” Madigan said.
* Sun-Times…
Mike Madigan grew up with an alcoholic father, never heard the words “I love you” from either parent and later helped shield his adopted daughter Lisa Madigan from a biological father he said reduced her to tears.
For more than three hours on Tuesday, jurors in the former Illinois House speaker’s federal bribery trial heard intensely personal revelations from a tight-lipped 82-year-old man who had previously kept those sorts of details private for decades.
“In that house, why, the word ‘nurturing’ did not exist,” Madigan said in describing his childhood Southwest Side household as cold and dominated by his father.
“My parents never told me that they loved me,” Madigan offered. “They never embraced, never hugged. That was just the condition that existed at the time.”
* Related…
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 9:34 am:
Mr. Speaker, why do you refuse to use a telephone?
- 0.0 - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 9:39 am:
=== Mr. Speaker, why do you refuse to use a telephone? ===
Um… he clearly uses a telephone. He just doesn’t own a cell phone.
- Anyone Remember - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 9:51 am:
“Mr. Speaker, why do you refuse to use a telephone?”
[Sarcasm font on] Perhaps he reacts to to phones the same way Chuck McGill did in Better Call Saul?
- low level - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 9:55 am:
Incredible testimony yesterday from a very private man. Who knows whether it will make any difference.
- Steve - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:01 am:
Madigan and his lawyers realize we live in the Victimhood Culture era. Don’t know what his childhood has to do with being accused of racketeering but… here we are.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:04 am:
Lots of 82 year old people don’t use email. If I were the government, I would stick to the facts of the case on cross.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:12 am:
3D Checkers: Not email, phone - how many 82 year olds don’t use the phone…in their 40s-70s?
- Dem - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:16 am:
He clearly uses a phone. He just doesn’t own a cell phone.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:18 am:
- how many 82 year olds don’t use the phone…in their 40s-70s? -
He didn’t have a cell phone, he still used phones.
- Paddyrollingstone - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:19 am:
No AUSA is going to ask him “ why” anything.
“Why don’t I use a phone? Because I never quite got out of the habit of speaking directly to people. I’m old and I kind of view smartphones as a waste of time. I think of the Sisters that taught me throughout the years and how they instilled in me discipline and I feared that smartphones would make me lazy.”
- New person - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:19 am:
Media outlets are reporting the testimony about his childhood and LMs past as a secret. But I’ve read about her bio father before and it was sorta known about the abuse and alcoholism. What else was revealed? I also don’t see the legal relevance or why it wasn’t objected to/or why it was allowed.
- Dem - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:35 am:
“I also don’t see the legal relevance or why it wasn’t objected to/or why it was allowed.”
A lot of times witnesses are asked questions about their background or personal information to start their testimony. It is not really relevant, but the prosecutors would look petty and silly to the jury if they objected.
- low level - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:42 am:
It was reported before but very, very infrequently.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:42 am:
Did not know Madigan had that kind of childhood, pretty sad. But will reserve outrage over any white collar crime he allegedly committed, after who this country just elected as president. “Law and order.”
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:48 am:
===He didn’t have a cell phone, he still used phones.===
As the government’s owns evidence demonstrates.
- 44 - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:53 am:
Paddy comment put a big smile on my face. LOL. Brilliant.
- hmmm - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:54 am:
I was imagining the AUSA planning their cross last night. Biggest career moment coming today, lots of pressure, smart witness. Wish it was on TV.
- Inquiring Minds - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:54 am:
In the training we all take regarding forms of harassment, we are all encouraged to report bad behavior, even if you were not on the receiving end of that treatment. There were obviously a few dozen witnesses to the behavior in the House Democrat Caucus meeting that even the Governor has said apologies are owed. Will any of those witnesses file a report? They should. One could argue they are obligated to do so. There at least should be a complaint filed against the Democrat Representative who called a colleague the A word as well as those who treated the staff so rudely. Since transparency is valued, these complaints and apologies should be made public. Especially by the offenders since they are probably otherwise big promoters of transparency and of safe work environments.
- Give Us Barabbas - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 10:56 am:
The biographical stuff explains some of his character but offers no excuse for his behaviors under the investigation. After such a long period of leadership, it seems late in the game to play the victim of a broken home card for jury sympathy. He’s benefited from what he’s done for a very long time.
- Colin O'Scopy - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:00 am:
“Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose.”
I think it was a smart move given the fact that he has the financial means to wage a toe-to-toe effort against the federal government. Also because the feds used 50+ witnesses over 3 months to portray the former Speaker as corrupt. Death by 1,000 cuts as it were. This way, at a minimum, the jury can say to each other and themselves, “we heard it from Madigan directly that he didn’t see the world through the same lens as the government.”
- Gravitas - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:15 am:
Hmm. Blaming one’s parents. Typical.
Whenever using his the old man’s political clout with Dick Daley was beneficial, Young Madigan did not hesitate to drop names.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:34 am:
- the jury can say to each other and themselves, “we heard it from Madigan directly -
He hasn’t faced any tough questions yet.
- Regular democrat - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 11:53 am:
Will the jury believe that McClain was pressuring people using Madigan name without his knowledge? If his demeanor on the stand continues he might make the necessary connection with some jurors. Interesting stuff great theater and kudos to tribune especially with great reporting.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:18 pm:
This is all as scripted and expected. Under cross, it will be very interested in how it plays out. Lawyers don’t advise defendants not to testify for how they themselves will question them. The drama is under cross by the prosecution.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:38 pm:
=The drama is under cross by the prosecution.=
Maybe, maybe not. Lots of folks just know that Madigan’s guilty and are waiting for that gotcha moment. But that’s been the story of his career.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:41 pm:
From the Tribune story today:
“Did McClain accurately describe your mindset?” Collins asked. No, Madigan responded.
“Did you instruct McClain to express this sentiment?” Collins asked. Madigan again responded no.”
Ouch. McClain goes under the bus. Although I’m not sure this helps Madigan much, since they are being charged together with racketeering conspiracy and Madigan was the beneficiary of McClain’s scheming and freelancing.
But Madigan is letting the jury know that he’s a human being and the message is that he has nothing to hide. That’s got to count for something.
The cross will be fascinating.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:41 pm:
To paraphrase Arthur Branch from Law and Order: “The government needs 12 jurors and the defense needs only one.”
- Frumpy White Guy - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:41 pm:
Madigan officially threw McClain under the bus.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 12:49 pm:
Careful - McClain could do some harm. I mean on top of all the harm he’s done already.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:04 pm:
===Careful - McClain could do some harm.===
True, but that would be wildly out of character. If McClain wanted to do harm, he would have pled guilty and cooperated with the prosecution.
- Lincoln Lad - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:12 pm:
Somehow, I think Madigan taking the stand and throwing him under the bus was not part of the plan going into this. But maybe it was… for reasons we’re not likely to ever see.
- Juice - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:24 pm:
This might be a hot take. But doesn’t Madigan throwing McClain under the bus also in a way help McClain?
If McClain was acting independently as a private actor, and not really at Madigan’s behest but was using his name, that’s his deal. (Since McClain has not been accused of bribing Madigan, I don’t think. Since he is part of the enterprise.)
- K3 - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 1:29 pm:
The amount of people in the comments still willing to stick up for this man is disgusting. Not only is he obviously corrupt, he created a toxic (and misogynistic) work environment that has outlived his tenure in the House. Go touch some grass.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 2:05 pm:
=The amount of people in the comments still willing to stick up for this man is disgusting.=
The absence of vitriol doesn’t mean that people are sticking up for Madigan, it merely means that people are paying attention to how this is playing out. And those of us who’ve spent time in courtrooms have an appreciation for what both sides are doing and how a jury might be processing things.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 2:30 pm:
Madigan’s decision to take the stand and use the “my father showed no emotion” ploy is another gimmick in his scheme to avoid time in the joint. Many is his father’s generation ruled the roost with an iron hand. They sent their children to Catholic schools where nuns ruled with not only an iron hand but an 18” wooden ruler nearby.
If he intends to effect the jury’s opinion with this ploy, it may backfire. Individuals raised in homes where little affection was shown is not an excuse for criminal acts.
Madigan’s crafted a power base to suit his needs over a lengthy career combining his legal expertise along with clout to serve his interests.
As the Two Eddies…Burke and Vrdolyak…had their time in the spotlight of the Dirksen Federal Building, Madigan awaits his fate.
- Dotnonymous x - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 2:44 pm:
- Madigan’s crafted a power base to suit his needs over a lengthy career combining his legal expertise along with clout to serve his interests. -
If that’s a crime we’re gonna need more prison space.
- Bugsy - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 3:02 pm:
Give Us Barrabas 10:56am….you are spot on….way too late in the game to feel sorry for him…….Madigan was ruthless towards his adversaries….he didn’t give it a thought to play fair. I think Karma is gonna work against him. We’ll soon find out.
- Dirty Red - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 3:20 pm:
McClain REALLY went under the bus today. Per David Byrnes on Bluesky:
Cotter asks if Madigan’s friendship with McClain survived McClain’s transition to lobbying, starting in the 80s.
“It did, until recently,” Madigan answers.
###
McClain made his affection for “Mike Madigan” widely known. Brutal. Nancy’s assessment was spot on, and the shooting hasn’t stopped yet.
- Gravitas - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 3:22 pm:
While this trial continues, I keep thinking about how the 13th Ward treated Alaina Hampton when she dared to complain about being sexually harassed.
I cannot feel sorry for him either, His soldiers were called “Madigoons” for a reason.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 3:42 pm:
===McClain REALLY went under the bus today===
Meh. I’m betting he’s far angrier at McClain than he let on today.
- Bugsy - Wednesday, Jan 8, 25 @ 3:44 pm:
Very risky for any of the Jurists to believe anything Madigan says….after he’s on record saying McClain got them their ComEd Jobs and that he was shocked they were doing no work. Don’t think this “Casablanca” moment was effective at all….but quite the contrary.