* First, some background from the Tribune…
Federal prosecutors are asking for nearly five years in prison for former ComEd executive John Hooker, saying in a filing Monday he “corrupted the highest levels of state government” in a scheme to funnel more than $1.3 million in do-nothing payments to associates of then-House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for the speaker’s help with legislation in Springfield.
Hooker’s attorney’s, meanwhile, requested just a year of probation, citing his age, lack of criminal history and zero risk of ever committing a crime again. They also submitted dozens of character letters from people of all walks of life attesting to Hooker’s history of generosity and selflessness. […]
Hooker, McClain, and co-defendants Anne Pramaggiore, former CEO of ComEd, and Jay Doherty, a consultant and former head of the City Club of Chicago, were convicted on all counts after a two-month trial. Shah later tossed some of those counts due to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year, but denied defense requests to delay the sentencing hearings any further.
Pramaggiore is set for sentencing July 21, while McClain’s sentencing is scheduled for three days later. Doherty is the last, with his sentencing hearing set for Aug. 5.
* Sun-Times Federal Courts Reporter Jon Seidel is in the courtoom…
* Capitol News Illinois’ Hannah Meisel…
* Earlier in the hearing, Judge Shah focused on testimony Hooker gave in 2023. Tribune…
In one of the recordings, McClain told Hooker, “We had to hire these guys because Mike Madigan came to us. It’s that simple.”
Hooker testified he didn’t believe it was true that they “had” to hire anyone.
“To me that’s just me and McClain joshing around,” he said. […]
Each time, Hooker said the subcontractor arrangement with Doherty had created “goodwill” with Madigan because they were able to “respond to a recommendation” from the speaker. He also made sure to say the subcontractors “added value to the company,” and that the arrangement was good for him because he “didn’t have to manage” them.
* The Tribune’s Jason Meisner…
- Loop Lady - Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 12:21 pm:
I had to deal with Hooker in the early 2000’s…he deserves the sentence.
Utterly corrupt.
- Amalia - Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 1:12 pm:
it’s not a long sentence, so if you are the person sentenced, ok, good, you’ll get out fast. But how utterly stupid to do something, get convicted, and you are sent to prison at all, even a short time. what an idiot.
- levivotedforjudy - Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 1:19 pm:
If you had told me 30 years ago that this day would come, I wouldn’t have believed it. But then I had the same thoughts about Rostenkowski, Cellini,Blago, Ryan, Burke and Madigan. I think I need to dial down my shock levels.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 3:01 pm:
No sympathy from me. Do the crime, you do the time.
- Responsa - Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 3:12 pm:
Not enough.
- Annoyed - Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 3:26 pm:
This conviction on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act will probably get overturned if it makes it to SCOTUS. There was no foreign actor that was bribed, again, your ethically questionable US Attorneys Office at work here.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Jul 14, 25 @ 4:03 pm:
I think McClain will get more…