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“These were the people they were most focused on”

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Illinois

* Ray Long and Jason Meisner at the Tribune…

Federal authorities have asked questions about Democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his political operation as part of an ongoing investigation, four people who have been interviewed told the Tribune.

The sources, all of whom requested anonymity, said FBI agents and prosecutors asked about connections between Commonwealth Edison lobbyists and Madigan, lobbyists giving contracts to people tied to the speaker, and city, state and suburban government jobs held by his associates.

They also said authorities had numerous questions about the speaker’s relationship and dealings with longtime confidant Michael McClain, a former ComEd lobbyist.

“These were the people they were most focused on,” according to one person interviewed by authorities.

You should definitely read the rest of that story. Lots more in it.

* Meanwhile, here’s Dan Mihalopoulos and Dave McKinney at WBEZ…

After retiring from Cook County, Raymond Nice supplemented his public pension checks with a job representing Commonwealth Edison’s interests in county government.

For Nice – a longtime campaign operative for Illinois House Speaker and state Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan – the job paid as much as $60,000 a year on top of his annual pension of more than $70,000, records show.

Nice answered to ComEd lobbyist and City Club of Chicago President Jay Doherty. Earlier this year, Nice disclosed that his work involved talking to county officials about ComEd’s business operations “when requested by Jay Doherty.”

But records show Nice’s job ended on July 1 – weeks after FBI agents raided the nonprofit City Club’s offices in the Wrigley Building in mid-May as part of a broad public corruption investigation into ComEd.

Authorities sought documents about Madigan and ComEd as they probed allegations the giant power company had hired multiple politically connected consultants – including some with ties to Madigan – under deals that demanded little or no work, WBEZ has reported. A source involved in the investigation has told WBEZ the feds are looking into suspicions that Doherty served as a “pass through” for ComEd’s deals with clout hires.

Uh-oh. Again, read the rest. Nice was definitely Madigan’s guy. I’m told Madigan only requested a tiny handful of appointments from newly elected Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2015, and Nice was one of them.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:25 am

Comments

The problem with stories like these is you have no idea how credible the “sources” would be. Krupa claimed he talked to federal law enforcement about Madigan’s operation. For all we know these “sources” are Krupa, Quinn’s ex-wife, and Bruce Rauner.

Comment by questions Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:29 am
Tribune has FOUR sources who have been interviewed about nexus between Madigan’s political operation and ComEd.

Four. Sources.

The code of silence has always been a big part of the power of Madigan-land. I don’t know where this whole thing is going to end up, but this represents a huge breach in the wall.

Who is the “most trusted of the trusted” now? Is anyone?

Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:30 am
No lawyer worth a retainer fee would let an credible witness talk to the feds and then talk to a reporter, and if there’s an real case, the feds would not want a witness talking to reporters either.

Comment by questions Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:32 am
Ray Long and Jason Meisner are top rate reporters. They wouldn’t be writing this story unless these 4 individuals had real knowledge of the FBI/Madigan situation. It appears Bruce Rauner was the wrong man, in the wrong state, at the wrong time, with the wrong personality. Bruce’s Madigan flick seems a little dated now.

Comment by Steve Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:38 am
Things I know;

I don’t have any idea of any timeline, who might be the targets, how those targets lead to others.

I know who has been raided. I know what the docs read on some of those raids.

I know i don’t know how any piece will be linked to other pieces for a big picture, but it’s the biggest outside investigation that *I* can think of that even now appears to eclipse “Safe Roads”… but I don’t know where it ends.

Why all this? Like in Geometry, the “Given” or known is the only way to look at something to find the end.

And with all that said, folks talking, it’s still “localized” and “fringe-y”…to specifics… but those pieces are easy fodder to make the waiting so excruciating.

I’ll watch what does happen, but reading all above, the past in that context too… we still can be surprised that it’s bigger than we can imagine, or are the pieces too far of a bridge for others?

Dunno. But it has my attention.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:41 am
Yeah, no need to drag Long and Meisner through the mud. They’re smart people. Plus, Bruce Rauner obviously knew nothing about this or he wouldn’t have sign the Exelon bailout bill.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:52 am
— Ray Long and Jason Meisner are top rate reporters. They wouldn’t be writing this story unless these 4 individuals had real knowledge of the FBI/Madigan situation —

Read the story again. The four sources claimed to have spoken with federal law enforcement. It does not say they spoke with federal law enforcement as part of an FBI investigation or an investigation into ComEd or an investigation into Madigan. The story’s headline is speculative at best.

It also does not say “federal sources confirm” anything, not that the sources spoke with them or that they’re investigating Madigan. Kind of an important detail.

Comment by Reading is fundamental Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:55 am
Nice. ironic name.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:56 am
For all we know these “sources” are Krupa, Quinn’s ex-wife, and Bruce Rauner.

Rauner derangement syndrome is incurable.

Why would the FBI interview Governor Rauner about inside information on Mike Madigan’s political operation?

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:56 am
I’m more interested in the answers the four gave than the questions. And McLain/Doherty pass through a bad sign. If it’s legit why set up that mechanism???

Comment by 19th Ward Guy Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:57 am
“Nice was a lobbyist like I’m an astronaut”- source. Oh man.

Ray is a true gentleman and an outstanding family man but this description is pretty good imo. Makes me wonder who else they are focused on.

Comment by low level Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:00 am
Agree with OW, we will know what we know when we know it. However, the mental gymnastics that some commenters put themselves through to minimize what this “looks” like are entertaining.

Comment by Nova Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:03 am
In other words, their sources are not just Krupa and / or Quinn’s ex. People in the know are talking. Not good.

Comment by low level Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:04 am
- Reading is fundamental -

From reading the story, I’ll assume the focus wasn’t Mike Madigan’s golf score. But, I could wrong.

Comment by Steve Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:06 am
What’s the next drip, Madigan’s com-Ed clout list?

Comment by Rutro Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:06 am
On one hand it makes sense that ComEd and others are going to seek out Madigan associates, why wouldn’t they? Madigan has held power in the state for more than a third of a century, and if you want anything from the state, where else would you invest your money when you can spend it on someone who can possibly get a meeting with Madigan based on a past relationship.

I could also believe Madigan himself doesn’t benefit from his associates serving as lobbyists. Access to Madigan is a valuable commodity and if you can sell it, why wouldn’t you?

Comment by JSS Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:10 am
=== Why would the FBI interview … Rauner…===

Did he sign the Exelon bailout. Did he feel pressure to do so? Did any individual lobby his people?

I have ZERO idea if they would/wouldn’t/did/didn’t… but if this also boils down to a legislative quid pro quo, asking isn’t at ALL, not one minuscule bit indicting (for lack of a better term) of Mr. Rauner.

When we don’t know, we don’t know, that in of itself isn’t at all incriminating either.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:11 am
===However, the mental gymnastics that some commenters put themselves through to minimize what this “looks” like are entertaining.===

Yeah, seriously, I hope people are getting paid by Madigan or Hinshaw for their obviously flackery. Sheesh.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:12 am
>> People in the know are talking. Not good.
Why “not good” seems this is excellent news.

Comment by midway gardens Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:14 am
=== - questions - Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 9:29 am:

For all we know these “sources” are Krupa, Quinn’s ex-wife, and Bruce Rauner. ===

Thanks. I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time.

Comment by Birdseed Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:16 am
=== minimize what this “looks” like===

(Sigh)

Hey, Perry Mason, in all this incredible reporting, the leaks, the searches, the warrants, even the emails…

What law or laws are we talking about? What hinges on this case, to the small, to the overall.

Looks are optics, so… walk me through all you “know”. Sincerely.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:18 am
== I could also believe Madigan himself doesn’t benefit from his associates serving as lobbyists.== JSS

For years I thought the same until the McClain emails. Now Im not so sure.

Comment by low level Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:19 am
I’ve long wondered why the speaker refuses to retire, especially since Rauner was defeated and it became apparent that he’s no longer needed (or wanted) by state dems. Is this why? Did he figure he would eventually need the access to financial/legal resources that comes with being Speaker/state party chairman? At this point, it’s starting to look like he stuck around about 5 or 10 years too long.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:24 am
I thought the SEC was also investigating the lobbying of Com Ed. Any leaks or information from them?

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:34 am
== At this point, it’s starting to look like he stuck around about 5 or 10 years too long.==.

Absolutely no question about that. And I feel bad for him. He couldn’t retire. His identity is too caught up in it. He’s been doing it for too long. And its starting to look like he was a bit like Rosty. The rules changed but Rosty didnt. Is that what happened here?

Comment by low level Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:37 am
=== it became apparent that he’s no longer needed (or wanted) by state dems ===
Say what? Where did you get this info? That’s a ridiculous statement.

Comment by Boomerang Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:40 am
First I, admittedly, am not a media relations person. That being said, why would 4 people talk to the press after being interviewed by the Feds. What do they stand to benefit or gain from that? If the Feds showed up on my door, taking to the press would be the last thing on my mind.

Comment by Centennial Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:44 am
RICO Willy 371 conspiracy Willy. Wire fraud and mail fraud and likely tax offenses Willy. Even Hamilton Burger-the guy who always lost to Perry Mason - would concede this is where it a going.

Comment by 19th Ward Guy Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:45 am
- 19th Ward Guy -

I ask you “cui bono”?

Exelon? Quinn?

Walk me through… the “obvious”

Those wiring money to Quinn?

Use what we know. Don’t roll out speculative yet. Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:49 am
The tax fraud of income… those avenues… prolly why the email(s) and monies could very well be tied..

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 10:51 am
The Feds can’t gag people they interview. There is something called free speech in this country. The sources evidently felt fine talking about their interviews with the FBI.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 11:02 am
That is a good description of Ray Nice. Pleasant competent guy but the only ones I know who are more 13th Ward are the Moodys. (And they don’t get along.)

Comment by Original Rambler Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 11:45 am
— The Feds can’t gag people they interview. There is something called free speech in this country. The sources evidently felt fine talking about their interviews with the FBI. —

Obviously you have been interviewed by the feds. Good for you.

Comment by Fun fun Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 11:48 am
If you got paid by ComEd as a Lobbyist and you did little or no work…..would it be a crime? Unsure of the legalities…..but isn’t this on ComEd? It would be ghost payrolling in Government….but in the Private Sector it could be that no laws are broken. Perhaps that is the reason….things may have been done so brazenly.

Comment by Druid Eye Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 11:49 am
Ray Long is a solid, trusted reporter, who knows Springfield and its players pretty well. Such access and insight are why we need good reporters assigned to the capitol.

Comment by walker Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 11:54 am
===Obviously you have been interviewed by the feds. Good for you.===

Lol, no comment.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 11:55 am
I meant HAVE NOT been interviewed. They have ways of making sure you stay quiet and remain a good witness.

Comment by Fun fun Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 12:13 pm
===They have ways of making sure you stay quiet and remain a good witness.===

No of which have any legal merit unless you’ve done something criminal. Think about it, no one would want to talk if they were afraid of retaliation.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 12:27 pm
Two small holes
1. What did the 4 say?
2. What is the ________?

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 2:04 pm
Witnesses talk to the press off the record all the time. Equally important folks at 219 S Dearborn themselves leak confidentially to the press. It’s a good technique to let people Know the bus is filling up and they need to fess up before there are no seats left. There is no adverse impact to a CW who elects to share his interview off the record with the media.

Comment by Sue Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 2:21 pm
I’ll believe Madigan is in trouble when he goes into a Club Fed for an extended vacation, and not before. The thought of him crossing paths with Blago as he gets out on a pardon is fun to think about.

What’s the over/under on the number of Madigan minions pulling in six figures until death for doing not much of anything?

I’m asking for a taxpayer friend. After all, we’re all taxpayers.

Comment by SSL Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 3:11 pm
==That’s a ridiculous statement.==

Counterpoint: IL dems are sick and tired of having to answer questions about ComEd payoffs and sexual harassment scandals. Also, Madigan doesn’t do anything for IL dems currently that couldn’t also be done (probably better) by almost any other dem official in this state. He was needed in 1992 when this was a purple state, in 2019 this is a +20 Dem state which makes him unnecessary.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Dec 5, 19 @ 4:34 pm