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* We covered most of this yesterday and before and during the trial, but let’s do a roundup. Jon Seidel at the Sun-Times…
Tim Mapes once seemed free and clear, even as the FBI drew its net around his former boss and his longtime colleagues in Springfield.
Months after the indictment of four people with ties to onetime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, Mapes found himself sitting before a federal grand jury. He had an immunity order, meaning he couldn’t be prosecuted for what he said — as long as he told the truth.
But Mapes decided to lie that day in March 2021.
That’s what a jury decided Thursday after five hours of deliberations at the end of a trial that lasted three weeks featuring 18 witnesses and several FBI wiretap recordings. In fact, they said Mapes lied a lot: on seven specific occasions, regarding 14 different topics.
Mapes is now a convicted liar. His word on anything can no longer be trusted in any court, including the court of public opinion. Even so, a commenter asked this yesterday…
Now the question becomes who will Mapes roll on to reduce his sentence? Is he finally at a point where he will reveal what he knows? Certainly does not seem like McClain has flipped but who knows?
My reply…
First, he’s been convicted of perjury. He’d be a lousy witness even without his own personality, um, issues. Second, unless he knows something the government doesn’t after months of FBI wiretaps, email and document subpoenas, etc. he’s got nothing much to give. Third, even if he did have something, the ComEd Four trial strongly indicates that Madigan is a cooked goose. They don’t need him. Never did, actually.
Also, if the feds truly needed Mapes to make their case against Madigan and McClain they’d have pressed him much harder during the grand jury on far more topics. Also too, Mapes’ cooperation could actually complicate their case because the defense lawyers would make mincemeat out of him on the stand (although I’d almost pay to see it).
* Mapes wasn’t ever cooperative, as Hannah Meisel points out in her story…
In a statement late Thursday afternoon, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Morris Pasqual said Mapes’ conviction “should stand as a clear message to witnesses” who are called to appear in front of a grand jury. […]
About six weeks before his grand jury testimony, Mapes sat for an FBI interview in February 2021. During the trial, prosecutors hinted at the fact that Mapes ended the interview after agents broached the subject of Madigan and his close confidant Mike McClain. The FBI was interested in whether McClain, a longtime influential lobbyist in Springfield with whom Mapes also shared a friendship, acted as an “agent” of Madigan.
Shortly after Mapes’ FBI interview, he was subpoenaed for testimony in front of the grand jury, but roughly 10 days later, asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. In response, prosecutors requested the court put Mapes under an immunity order, meaning that in exchange for his truthful testimony, Mapes couldn’t be charged in the investigation.
However, the immunity order also meant that if Mapes lied while under oath, he could be charged. It was under those circumstances that Mapes entered the grand jury room in late March of 2021, where during those two hours of testimony, he was reminded three times of the stakes of lying under oath.
The time to flip was February of 2021, well before the feds asked a judge to impose an immunity order on him. The train left the station and he wasn’t on it. Others quickly hopped aboard, and they’ll be home with their families while Mapes is serving whatever time he gets.
* Jason Meisner and Ray Long at the Tribune…
Mapes’ quick-and-quiet exit stood in high contrast to his heyday as Madigan’s longtime chief of staff and executive director of the state Democratic Party, when, as the speaker’s premier gatekeeper, he strode the halls of power with an almost autocratic style.
He also served as the clerk of the House, where he was known as a details-driven micromanager adept at keeping the legislative trains running.
Madigan unceremoniously dumped Mapes from all three positions in June 2018 after a staffer accused him of sexual harassment in a year in which the #MeToo movement cost the careers of several Madigan allies.
The jury’s verdict marked the conclusion of a nearly three-week criminal case that centered on relatively straightforward charges yet delved deeply into the behind-the-scenes political intrigue of the scandals that rocked Madigan’s office and ended his decadeslong grip on power.
* Todd Feurer and Suzanne Le Mignot at CBS 2…
“For whatever reason in his heart and his mind, (Mapes) chose loyalty over the truth,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur said during closing arguments Wednesday.
Federal prosecutors said Mapes had a mantra: “protect the boss,” and he lied repeatedly to do that. Mapes’ defense said “protect the boss” meant protecting Madigan from political fallout, and nothing else.
As Speaker Madigan’s top aide for more than 25 years, the prosecution said Mapes lied about the nature of the long-term relationship between Madigan and his longtime confidant Michael McClain, arguing Mapes knew McClain, a lobbyist and close Madigan friend, did work for the former speaker.
Federal prosecutors said when called to testify before a grand jury investigating the ComEd case, Mapes lied “to protect the boss Mike Madigan and lied to protect his friend, Mike McClain.”
…Adding… True…
None of us were close before this. They pushed us together to their own demise. https://t.co/82CBf0i2si
— Rep. Kelly Cassidy (@RepKellyCassidy) August 25, 2023
* Isabel rounded up some more…
* Tribune | Following Tim Mapes’ conviction, lawmakers condemn his conduct, GOP renews call for reform: Among the most notable was Sherri Garrett, who worked in the clerk and speaker’s offices and publicly came forward with allegations that for years she endured and witnessed harsh behavior by Mapes, saying it was “often sexual and sexist in nature.” “My experience speaking out about the sexual harassment I endured in 2018 was painful — and more painful was knowing that there were countless others like me who were too afraid of Mr. Mapes to come forward and speak their own truths,” Garrett said. “I hope that those individuals feel some relief today, as I know I do.”
* WGN | Jury finds Tim Mapes guilty of perjury, attempted obstruction of justice: There wasn’t much of a reaction from Mapes when the verdict was read. He was flanked by his defense team and quickly walked out of the Dirksen Federal Building.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 10:38 am
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Gotta say, it’s encouraging to see how no one is above the law. Gives hope to an eternal skeptic like me
Comment by Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 10:44 am
I will never understand why Mapes chose to self-immolate himself like this. The guy wasn’t just thrown under the bus, he was backed over and run over again. Has any other legislative Chief of Staff in Illinois history gone from near total control of the chamber to filling the gas tanks for UPS trucks in the middle of the night?
Just unbelievable hubris, even for Tim.
Comment by SpiDem Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 10:57 am
At 68+ years of age, you hope you’re choosing where you are going to spend the holidays, summers, maybe an overseas trip.
At 68+ hoping you get to a regionally local federal detention center to complete your incarceration is not a plan of honor.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 11:01 am
He was either clueless during interrogation by the feds or simply lied to protect his boss. While being informed that he would be receiving an immunity deal, I don’t think Mr. Mapes took this seriously. And stubbornly it clearly shows he would rather lie in order to protect MJM. He was isolated and in deep sadness (with lights off) in his furnished basement when fired by his boss according to his wife. Therefore, this is was last opportunity to shield MJM. We are talking Mr. Mapes here who held the House caucus under a tight grip; he is no dummy. While considered by some as arrogant and dismissive during these 10+ years of power as CoS/Clerk/Party exec director, the man was not a humble, clueless, weak fellow by all means.
Comment by Pizza Man Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 11:13 am
Well, Mapes remained on brand until the end.
Comment by George Ryan Reynolds Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 11:16 am
hey, protect the long time boss because you live in a system where family is given rewards.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 11:16 am
It is time for Tim Mapes to ditch the suit. Perhaps the tailors at Duru’s on LaSalle Street could create a version of Vincent Gigante’s bathrobe and slippers.
That attire kept Vinny the Chin out of the joint for years. Might work for Mr. Mapes as well.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 11:29 am
the front page below the fold headline of the Tribune says it all for anyone who knows or does not know: Madigan’s longtime henchman Mapes guilty. Henchman is such a creepy word.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:05 pm
Ah, Lucky “But whatabout this completely unrelated issue that may or may not have actually happened but that if it did might paint Democrats in a bad light, at least to die hard Republicans who are never going to vote for Democrats anyway” Pierre…
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:09 pm
When he tells his family good bye as he heads to prison, he can ask himself why. MJM and McClain are going to jail… and Mapes didn’t have to. A bad choice.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:17 pm
“Henchman is such a creepy word.”
Always preferred “goon”. Rolls off the tongue and simply gets the job done.
Comment by Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:22 pm
There are several high points in the Speaker’s career where all this could likely have been avoided had he retired on top: after winning 4 of 5 elections under the Republican map, immediately after Blagojevich won in 2002, after Blagojevich’s impeachment in 2008, and after the defeat of Rauner of 2014. No successor as Speaker would have kept Tim as Chief, but he could have done some consulting while drawing his pension.
Comment by Oldtimer Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:24 pm
He’ll be fine.
Comment by Just Me 2 Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:25 pm
Will he lose his pension? Does he get full Social Security benefits?
Comment by sox11 Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:34 pm
“well before the feds asked a judge to impose an immunity order on him.”
This has been broached before, yesterday, about the judge giving immunity, not the AUSA? I’m not sure I understand the reason for this or why it occurs. Couldn’t he have pleaded the 5th?
Comment by Frida's boss Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:44 pm
===Couldn’t he have pleaded the 5th? ===
He was given immunity against his will. Can’t plead the 5th when you have immunity, forced or negotiated.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:46 pm
The Dude never harassed me but looked past me and others like we didn’t do all the grunt work. Today I feel great that I was never “seen” by this guy. It’s my greatest accomplishment there. I feel bad for his fam. That’s it.
Comment by Whatever Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 12:58 pm
==There are several high points in the Speaker’s career where all this could likely have been avoided had he retired on top==
This is exactly what I’ve thought of as well. I’ll also throw in had he only retired to let Lisa run for gov. So many times when a retirement would have avoided all of this.
Comment by low level Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 1:02 pm
If I was Alaina Hampton I would seriously consider returning home to Springfield (she’s a Pleasant Plains grad), moving downtown, then announce she will be giving Sue Scherer her first 96th Dist primary in almost a decade.
Comment by Stuck in Celliniland Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 1:20 pm
=== Will he lose his pension? ===
Nope.
Comment by Hannibal Lecter Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 1:32 pm
Total loyalty to Boss:Check
Convicted liar:Check
Looks like Mr.Mapes has shot up to the top of the Trump VP list.
Comment by Nitemayor Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 1:34 pm
I guess MJM just couldnt imagine a life without being Speaker. This makes sense considering he was first elected at 29 years old and the fact his mentor Dick Daley (Daley St) never retired. They literally carried Daley out after he passed away as mayor.
Dick Daley couldnt imagine not being mayor
Comment by low level Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 1:40 pm
“- Flyin’Elvis’-Utah Chapter - Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 10:44 am:
Gotta say, it’s encouraging to see how no one is above the law. Gives hope to an eternal skeptic like me.”
Well said. It is nice to see that the rule of law and proper justice can win. Now if we could just get folks in these positions to understand that they are there to serve the people, not to bilk the people…
Comment by Just a guy Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 3:14 pm
=given immunity against his will=
Let that wash over you. All of this they are playing chess and everyone else is playing chess blather.
Turns out they were untruthful, bullying, harassing, arrogant goons. Running an organized crime syndicate (without the murder) under the Dome.
Those who cowered under their desks for years in fear are culpable, enabling cowards. This is all about shaking down one company. There were hundreds. Their tactics unveiled. The bow has broken and the cradle is falling.
Low character grifters who have more in common with Donald Trump than law abiding citizens.
Comment by OMG Friday, Aug 25, 23 @ 3:29 pm