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Read the full Madigan deposition

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* The Sun-Times obtained its own copy of Speaker Madigan’s deposition in the Jason Gonzales lawsuit…

A very careful Mike Madigan sat down last year for what the 76-year-old political power broker said was his first deposition ever, answering questions for more than five hours about everything from whether he goes to church to his relationship with Ald. Ed Burke to his own “philosophy” on separating politics from government.

Those are some of the highlights in a copy of the veteran House Speaker’s deposition, released by lawyers for the former political rival suing Madigan in federal court. […]

Madigan answered many questions with versions of “I do not remember,” or “I do not recall,” which is common in depositions.

When asked about being elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, the speaker said he didn’t remember the exact date.

“I have information that it was in 1998, would that be about right?” Peraica asked.

“Right,” Madigan said.

“So about 20 years now?” Peraica asked.

Madigan replied, “Maybe more than 20 years. It’s one of those situations where you have so much fun you forget things.”

The full deposition is here.

* One of my favorite exchanges…

Q: And what case did he represent you on or in, [Bill Roberts], that is?

A: Those were matters that involved the United States Attorney’s Office.

Q: Were those civil in nature or criminal in nature?

A: They were not civil.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 9:33 am

Comments

I know what I’m reading this weeekend….

This stuff is gold, man.

Comment by NIU Grad Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 9:42 am
Why would they ask Mr. Madigan whether he goes to church?

Comment by Christopher Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 9:43 am
“They were not civil”
that’s right up there with “leave the gun. take the cannoli.”
you’ve got to take your hat off to the guy.

Comment by jim Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 9:44 am
The full deposition of 109 pages is far more than what I have time for right now. But NIU is right, a good weekend read.

Comment by illini Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 9:49 am
https://youtu.be/j0qm0KUPeD8

Comment by Honeybadger Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 9:57 am
This one is great:
Q: Do you have a close relationship with all 50 Ward Democratic Committeemen across the City of Chicago or do you just focus on your local area where you’re at?

A: I’m like you, I try to make friends everywhere but not with great success.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:02 am
Jim…that line is more akin to..”that was no heart attack”

Comment by Gordon Willis Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:03 am
Like w much of FOIA, this “uncovers” a lot that I could care less about. I mean, thank you Tony for telling me Shirley’s maiden name or verifying which child is adopted or not. Who the heck cares?

You have to get to page 39 before there is anything of substance.

So glad I now know the name of his sister.(double snark).

This is a total farce imo

Comment by low level Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:09 am
==A: I’m like you, I try to make friends everywhere but not with great success.==

Anon… I just came here to post the very same thing. Wish I could have been in that room for sure.

Comment by Graybeard Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:12 am
I didn’t realize you could just wander around the barn aimlessly in deposition questions.

Where or if you go to church — how could that possibly be germane?

Madigan’s a big boy who can lawyer up real good and object, so I have no worries for him. But for those who can’t, the process must be unnecessarily intrusive.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:17 am
That MJM, soon to be the opening act at a Funny Bone near you.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:17 am
Page 77 - line 16

Q (Peraica) : Do you want to take a short break? Are you ok?
A (Madigan) : Im great
Q: All right. Good. Lets go on then
A: So thankful to spend time with you

Thats just awesome. Peraica making mountains out of molehills and Madigan just shooing him away.

Comment by low level Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:29 am
It’s as though MJM went Frankie Five Angels in the most entertaining way to get a rise out of Peraica…

Would’ve loved to have seen it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:31 am
Madigan afforded those questions the seriousness they deserved.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:35 am
==I’m like you, I try to make friends everywhere but not with great success.==

It’s so great because it’s self-deprecating, but also not-so-subtle shade thrown at Peraica.

Comment by Arsenal Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:37 am
“When asked about being elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, the speaker said he didn’t remember the exact date.”

But he remembers his attorney’s career bio (pg 13):

A: “At one time he was the United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, prior to that he was the State’s Attorney of Sangamon County. At one time he was the Inspector General of the Legislative Ethics Commission.”

Comment by City Zen Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:44 am
===it’s self-deprecating, but also not-so-subtle shade…===

It’s an art, not a science.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:47 am
Hope FastTony doesn’t think his performance gets him more biz/Wonder if the DePaul kid will bail on him?

Comment by Annonin' Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 10:57 am
Name of assistant:
Madigan: Mika Baugher
Peraica: Mike Bauer?

Yeah Tony did his homework. Didnt know Mika but got in Mike Bauer - a lifelong, well known GLBT activist in Chicago. Fool. This is so transparently bogus.

Comment by low level Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 11:02 am
==Wonder if the DePaul kid will bail on him?==

No chance. The same people paying the bills for Gonzales are paying the bills for Krupa.

Comment by Anon324 Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 11:16 am
Ooh, there’s even a Schoolhouse Rock reference.

Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 11:17 am
===a Schoolhouse Rock reference===

That was pretty funny.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 11:18 am
These Gonzalez and Krupa lawsuits are clearly designed by Madigan’s loyal opposition to “soften” him up in anticipation of a more serious challenge against him in the 2020 Dem primary. That will be a Presidential primary so there will be increased turnout which usually helps challengers to the incumbents. Madigan won with 65% of the vote district wide and won the 13th Ward with 72% in 2016. That was a presidential primary year also. His ward organization is still rock solid. He is going to be almost impossible to beat!

Comment by "Old Timer Dem" Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 11:50 am
Q And the appropriation for the Illinois Arts Council comes from the State taxpayers?
A From the Illinois Legislature

So much said in so few words.

Comment by City Zen Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 12:14 pm
I wish I could keep my wife happy with funds from the Illinois legislature.

Comment by Scribe Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 1:23 pm
City Zen, Amen to that.

Comment by Colossus of roads Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 1:37 pm
So much effort and money spent trying to do away with a man who won’t be around forever anyway. Maybe if they would stop going after him he would go ahead and walk away on his own so that he didn’t have to prove he was still winning when he did leave.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 2:51 pm
Serious historical question. Does anyone remember the 1980s Chicago Tribune doing such detailed reporting about James R. Thompson’s patronage operation (and veto power over US Attorney nominations), Bill Cellini, or Art Philip (yes, Pate’s brother) at the Toll Highway Authority? Bueller? Bueller? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4zyjLyBp64

Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Feb 1, 19 @ 3:11 pm