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* 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…
She also said Doherty lost everything because of this case: his reputation, his friends, and family.
The presentence report has calculated his net worth as zero— Jason Meisner (@jmetr22b) August 5, 2025
* US Attorney Sarah Streicker sticks with the 15 month prison sentence recommendation for Doherty. Jon Seidel…
Streicker argues that "Mr. Doherty knew the arrangement was intended to help ComEd secure favorable legislation."
On a secret FBI recording, he brought Madigan up unprompted, including telling Fidel Marquez the arrangement was "to keep Mike Madigan happy." pic.twitter.com/Hv4TnP4G6Z
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) August 5, 2025
* Doherty to Judge Shah…
Doherty says he did three things wrong: He didn't inquire into the work of the Madigan allies on his payroll, he "deluded" himself into thinking it was ComEd's responsibility, and he didn't make sure they were doing actual work.
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) August 5, 2025
Shah to Doherty: "You and your company were the metaphoric cash in an envelope that amounted to bribes."
— Jon Seidel (@SeidelContent) August 5, 2025
NEWS: Doherty has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison. No fine as he has a negative net worth.
Doherty gave a long apology for his role in the alleged bribery scheme, saying that “for years, my focus was on being the big man on campus and making money.” https://t.co/cL4N6Jn5SL
— Hannah Meisel (@hannahmeisel) August 5, 2025
Doherty is due in prison Sept. 30.
posted by Isabel Miller
Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 11:55 am
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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?
Comment by Big Dipper Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:14 pm
Longer sentence than I expected… he was the tool to accomplish what others devised. He still needed to say no all the same.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:25 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.
Comment by Boone Logan Square 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.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:32 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.
Comment by This Just in Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:38 pm
such a short sentence but a life ruined despite the tiny punishment. forever tainted.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 12:49 pm
===Most still do not truly understand that an organized crime syndicate===
Madigan’s jury would disagree.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 1:38 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.
Comment by low level Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 1:59 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/
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 2:02 pm
The luncheon speaker series at the Federal Correctional Institution in Oxford, Wisconsin is about to get a lot more lively and chummy.
Comment by Ted Dancin Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 2:08 pm
Oxford is closed.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Aug 5, 25 @ 2:12 pm