Ray Long – Page 21 –

Former senior ComEd executive Fidel Marquez in 2012.

‘ComEd Four’ recording shows defendants vying to stay in Michael Madigan’s good graces months before bribery case broke wide open

April 3, 2023 at 8:16 a.m.

The shockingly abrupt end to House Speaker Michael Madigan's nearly four-decade reign over Illinois politics was only two years away when a trio of key players in the ongoing "ComEd...

Former ComEd executive Fidel Marquez in 2012.

‘ComEd Four’ defense tries to turn Madigan ‘fear and intimidation’ testimony on its head

April 2, 2023 at 9:08 a.m.

Jurors in the "ComEd Four" case have heard testimony that former Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan ruled for decades by "fear and intimidation," allegedly pulling strings behind the scenes to...

Fidel Marquez on May 3, 2012. Now in his third day on the stand, Marquez has taken jurors to the heart of the conspiracy allegations, and has also painted a stark portrait of power politics as it was played under House Speaker Michael Madigan's Democratic regime.

‘They scared the daylights out of you, didn’t they?’ Cross examination underway for star witness in ‘ComEd Four” trial

March 29, 2023 at 3:32 p.m.

Cross-examination of the prosecution's star witness in the "ComEd Four" trial began Wednesday with a defense attorney asking about the motivations behind the utility giant's efforts to stay in the...

Former ComEd Senior Vice President Fidel Marquez in 2012.

‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it with those guys’: Jurors see undercover videos of Michael Madigan associates in ‘ComEd Four’ trial

March 29, 2023 at 3:25 p.m.

Shortly after being confronted by FBI agents in 2019 and deciding to cooperate in an ongoing bribery probe, then-ComEd Senior Vice President Fidel Marquez secretly videotaped a lunch meeting in...

The four defendants charged in the ComEd bribery scheme are, from left, consultant Jay Doherty, lobbyist and former ComEd executive John Hooker, retired lobbyist Michael McClain and former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore.

Feds’ star witness takes stand in ‘ComEd Four’ trial, testifying utility worked to gain leverage with Michael Madigan

March 28, 2023 at 11:13 a.m.

More than four years after the FBI knocked on his door, former ComEd Vice President Fidel Marquez finally began his long-awaited turn on a federal witness stand Monday, testifying about...

Supporters board a bus at Lincoln Land Community College for a short ride to the 32nd annual Democratic Evening on the Lake fundraiser May 8, 2012, at Island Bay Yacht Club in Springfield.

‘ComEd Four’ trial offering a fascinating and unprecedented look into the inner workings of Michael Madigan’s political power

March 26, 2023 at 6:31 p.m.

It was never any secret that Michael Madigan was the most powerful politician in the state during his record run as Illinois House speaker and captain of the state Democratic...

In ‘ComEd Four’ trial, Michael Madigan’s ex-political director says arm-twisting on speaker’s orders helped pass ComEd legislation

March 26, 2023 at 8:48 a.m.

One of Michael Madigan's top former lieutenants told a federal jury Thursday that last-minute arm-twisting orchestrated by the powerful speaker on the House floor in 2016 made the difference between...

Tom O'Neill, former general counsel for Commonwealth Edison, front, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after testifying in the "ComEd Four" bribery trial on March 22, 2023, in Chicago.

Ex-ComEd lawyer testifies request to put Juan Ochoa on utility’s board came from Michael Madigan

March 22, 2023 at 9:45 p.m.

The former general counsel for Commonwealth Edison testified Wednesday that he helped allies of then-House Speaker Michael Madigan hunt down jobs in law firms and at the utility itself, including...

Ex-ComEd attorney testifies he was pressured by Michael Madigan associates to hire clout-heavy law firm while negotiating legislation in Springfield

March 22, 2023 at 8:53 a.m.

The former general counsel for Commonwealth Edison testified Tuesday that he was pressured by associates of then-House Speaker Michael Madigan to hire and later renew a contract for a clout-heavy...

State representative testifies at ‘ComEd Four’ trial that Speaker Michael Madigan ruled caucus ‘through fear and intimidation’

March 21, 2023 at 8:12 a.m.

Illinois state Rep. Bob Rita told jurors in the "ComEd Four" bribery trial Monday that former House Speaker Michael Madigan for years had "total control" of the state General Assembly...

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