* The Tribune…
On Tuesday, more than two years after his conviction in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial, [Jay Doherty] is finally set to learn his fate for his role in an elaborate scheme to funnel do-nothing subcontractor payments to associates of then-Speaker Michael Madigan in a bid to help ComEd’s legislative agenda in Springfield.
Doherty is the last of the four defendants to be sentenced in the landmark case, which has dragged on amid the death of the trial judge, fights at the U.S. Supreme Court and a review by the Trump administration of a law used by prosecutors to convict the four of cooking ComEd’s books.
Last month, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and lobbyist Michael McClain, who was one of Madigan’s closest confidants, were each sentenced to 2-year prison terms. Ex-ComEd executive John Hooker, meanwhile, was given a year and a half behind bars.
Prosecutors have asked U.S. District Judge Manish Shah to give Doherty 15 months in prison, arguing in a recent court filing that he was “integral” to the scheme because “he understood the reason for it (to provide monetary benefits to Madigan allies) and the benefits to ComEd from it, and allowed it to exist under his own contract with ComEd.”
* The Tribune’s Jason Meisner…
* US Attorney Sarah Streicker sticks with the 15 month prison sentence recommendation for Doherty. Jon Seidel…
* Doherty to Judge Shah…
* Judge Manish Shah: “This secret relationship between Mr. Madigan and ComEd … it wouldn’t have been a secret
without you”…
* Doherty’s sentence…
Doherty is due in prison Sept. 30.
- Big Dipper - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:14 pm:
Does Doherty have zero net worth because of what he owes his attorneys? He’s 71 and does not own property or have a retirement account or savings?
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:25 pm:
Longer sentence than I expected… he was the tool to accomplish what others devised. He still needed to say no all the same.
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:32 pm:
The year and a day (as opposed to just one year) makes Doherty eligible to get time off for good behavior. He might be out of prison by next July.
- Three Dimensional Checkers - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:32 pm:
Making the City Club President into a bagman is such a Chicago thing. The corruption is as innovative as the economy or a science. He might have made sure to spend the money he had on lawyers and family before today though.
- This Just in - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:38 pm:
Another criminal/grifter goes to prison. Is this even news any more.
Our Democracy suffered because these crooks don’t know right from wrong. A huge majority of the Capitol crowd played along. Shame on all involved. Most still do not truly understand that an organized crime syndicate operating under the Dome is outrageous.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:49 pm:
such a short sentence but a life ruined despite the tiny punishment. forever tainted.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 1:38 pm:
===Most still do not truly understand that an organized crime syndicate===
Madigan’s jury would disagree.
- low level - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 1:59 pm:
==Making the City Club President into a bagman is such a Chicago thing.==
They didnt care that he was the City Club president. They didnt pay much attention to outside, civic minded organizations like that. The only organization they really cared about was the one at 6500 S Pulaski and in D-Wing.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 2:02 pm:
===Making the City Club President into a bagman===
lol
From 2012…
Jay Doherty and the City Club of Chicago Under Fire
CLUB JAY: Has the powerful lobbyist Jay Doherty, the president of the City Club of Chicago, transformed that venerable organization into a means to enrich his clients—and himself? The Illinois attorney general is investigating. But the answer may not be so black and white
https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/june-2012/jay-doherty-and-the-city-club-of-chicago-under-fire/
- Ted Dancin - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 2:08 pm:
The luncheon speaker series at the Federal Correctional Institution in Oxford, Wisconsin is about to get a lot more lively and chummy.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 2:12 pm:
Oxford is closed.
- low level - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 3:05 pm:
All they cared about was that Doherty had a contract with Com Ed and they could put subcontractors on his payroll. He agreed. Late they moved the subs off Doherty when it could pose a problem. The fact he was City Club President didnt matter. It could have been Bozo and tne same thing would have happened.
- cal skinner - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 3:28 pm:
He is the son of former McHenry Mayor Don Doherty, who also served on the McHenry County Board.
- JP Altgeld - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 4:44 pm:
Jay Doherty is a good man. We are all just clumps of cells trying our best.
- Iris - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 6:23 pm:
I echo JP Altgeld. Jay is a good man. Who among us would want a spot light on our faults and failings? Most of us fall off track on occasion. To lose everything as a result is a very heavy price to pay. I wish him the very best.
- Lincoln Lad - Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 8:29 pm:
If Jay had it to do over, would he take a plea and testify? Sounds like his life has taken a really big hit, beyond even a one year sentence
- New Day - Wednesday, Aug 6, 25 @ 2:19 am:
“Jay Doherty is a good man.”
No he’s not. He spent years abusing his nonprofit position in CityClub to enrich himself. He wasn’t indicted for it but it is absolutely an indictment of his character and lack of integrity and ethics.