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ComEd 4 trial coverage roundup

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Illinois

* Here you go…

Sun-Times | FBI raids uncovered no evidence that Madigan allies did any work for ComEd salaries:

* Crain’s | In FBI raids on Madigan pals’ homes, one in particular yields treasure: Many of the figures who’ve become familiar names to the jury in the “ComEd Four” trial after more than two weeks of courtroom proceedings were on that list, usually identified by a single name. Shaw Decremer, former Madigan aide turned lobbyist, was one. Decremer was one of the Commonwealth Edison lobbyists that evidence showed acted as a conduit to pay Madigan’s political associates under subcontracting arrangements meant to hide the payments, according to prosecutors.

* Tribune | Jurors in ‘ComEd Four’ bribery trial shown ‘Magic Lobbying List’ of Michael Madigan allies: Stuffed in a tote bag in the back of McClain’s silver Toyota Avalon was a handwritten “Magic Lobbying List,” with the names of former Madigan staffers, associates and allies, who’d gone on to lucrative lobbying careers, scrawled on stationery from a boutique hotel in Chicago. The list was shown for the first time Tuesday in the ongoing trial of the “ComEd Four,” where McClain and three former ComEd executives and lobbyists are accused of conspiring to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars to various Madigan-connected “subcontractors” in exchange for the powerful Democrat’s influence over legislation the utility wanted passed, or blocked, in Springfield.

* Hannah Meisel | FBI agents say they found no evidence ComEd subcontractors worked for monthly stipends: One of the versions of the list also bore the speaker’s distinctive cursive script, adding names and phone numbers to the collection – and crossing one of his additions out. […] “As best as I know, it was a list of individuals who had been helpful to the speaker and speaker’s office over time,” Will Cousineau, Madigan’s longtime political director said during his testimony, adding that McClain would use the list to dole out work on certain projects.

* CST Editorial Board | Utilities must be transparent about secret ‘risk ranking’ of customers: The “riskiest” ComEd customers, for instance, could have their service cut off 16 days after they are flagged for disconnection based on their risk ranking. Others who aren’t designated as high-risk receive a 40-day cushion. It all means faster disconnection for those with the least ability to pay, while those with more financial means get more of a break. At a time when more people are struggling to pay their utility bills, more people are at risk of finding their utilities shut off if they get behind on payment

posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Apr 5, 23 @ 11:59 am

Comments

This is a killer for the defense. They may not underatand lobbying or government or anything like that. What they will understand is being paid for no work. I really feel for a lot of those guys on the list.

Comment by low level Wednesday, Apr 5, 23 @ 12:29 pm
Sorry - meant to say “the Jury may not understand politics but they understand no work”

Comment by low level Wednesday, Apr 5, 23 @ 12:36 pm
I read that the magic list was supposedly five pages long. Has anyone seen the complete five page list?

Comment by Hannibal Lecter Wednesday, Apr 5, 23 @ 12:53 pm
If you’re on page five how magic can you be? That’s “got your nose” level.

Comment by Nothing Could Be Done Wednesday, Apr 5, 23 @ 12:55 pm
Today the Government sought to prove up the false statement counts by calling CommEd witnesses re the single-source certifications for the Doherty subcontracts. Judge broke early today at 4 pm.

Comment by Itsthelaw Wednesday, Apr 5, 23 @ 4:09 pm