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* Unreal…
A Cook County judge on Monday conceded that an ongoing lawsuit he’s presiding over could potentially upend the state’s troubled cannabis licensing rollout and lead to a complete do-over.
During a lengthy hearing, Judge Moshe Jacobius issued an order granting WAH Group LLC a place in Thursday’s third and final lottery for dispensary licenses. But as Jacobius ruled the group was unjustly excluded from the drawing, he acknowledged the underlying suit could have serious implications for the state’s lucrative cannabis industry.
“We can’t predict the future. And counsel says that if you ultimately rule that the whole structure was improper, then the whole thing will have to be redone over again,” he said of the licensing process. “That may very well be, but I can’t anticipate what’s going to happen.
“And that’s just the most extreme thing that can happen. It might happen,” he added. “It’s very possible. But then, everybody then would be subject to just another application process or another lottery, who knows what.”
“Who knows what.” Wonderful.
* In other court news, here’s the Sun-Times…
Four members of former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s inner circle could face trial late in 2022 for their alleged roles in the ComEd bribery scandal.
What’s still not clear is whether new allegations might surface in the case by then.
U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber on Tuesday scheduled a Sept. 12, 2022, trial for Madigan confidant Michael McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, onetime ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and ex-City Club President Jay Doherty. All four have pleaded not guilty in response to a 50-page indictment filed last November that accused them of a long-term bribery scheme designed to curry favor with Madigan.
But Leinenweber also asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker about the ongoing possibility of a superseding indictment — which could add new allegations and defendants to the case. Streicker insisted she had “no further information about whether there will be a superseding indictment” and told the judge, “the investigation is ongoing.”
* Tribune…
Prosecutors also said Tuesday they’re still in the process of turning over records and evidence in the case, with the most recent “large production” made in late-June. Another discovery production was “being loaded now,” Streicker said.
The feds had previously turned over more than a million pages of records in discovery as well as discs containing wiretapped calls and other electronic evidence.
A status hearing in the case was scheduled for Oct. 21.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 12:20 pm
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Wonder if the quarter of Michael, Anne, John and Jay will sing the “Not guilty, Your Honor” tune directed by a Chicago favorite— Michael Monico? Interesting times ahead.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 12:51 pm
Oops — quartet.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 12:52 pm
===The feds had previously turned over more than a million pages of records in discovery as well as discs containing wiretapped calls and other electronic evidence.===
Still *cant* indict Madigan after (checks cite again);
“…more than a million pages of records in discovery as well as discs containing wiretapped calls and other electronic evidence.”
Interesting.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 12:53 pm
I’m gonna go with, “Who knows what”…for the chaos.
Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 1:05 pm
face trial late in 2022
So they get to sweat it out for more than a year.
Yet another reason not to do the crime….
Comment by Fav Human Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 1:28 pm
I think it is about time to give a license to anyone who qualifies under the marijuana statute. The way the gambling licens is going you might as well make the money on weed. Treat like a liquor license
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 1:51 pm
Are you crazy, DP Saint? That would drive down prices to the point where people could afford the products.
Comment by H-W Tuesday, Aug 17, 21 @ 1:55 pm
The wheels of justice in Cook County are more like deformed squares
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 10:34 am