Michael Madigan, House Speaker
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Lawyers for the 77-year-old McClain asked for probation. They cited the possibility that he could "die alone in prison" and said it would be "unjust" if he were held responsible for "the entire history
Federal prosecutors on Thursday asked for nearly six years in prison for former ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain, whose unique position as a confidant to then-House Speaker Michael Madigan was at
Michael McClain, 77, a former Illinois representative lobbyist for Commonwealth Edison, was convicted of bribery conspiracy and willfully falsifying the utility giant’s books as part of the “ComEd Four” trial in 2023.
Former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker was sentenced to a year and a half in prison for his role in a scheme to funnel $1.3 million to then-Speaker Madigan's associates.
When Michael McClain retired from lobbying in 2015, he told then-House Speaker Madigan he was "at the bridge with my musket standing with and for the Madigan family." McClain's fealty to Madigan ...
Michael McClain, left, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on May 2, 2023, after being found guilty in the ComEd Four bribery trial. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
When Michael McClain retired from lobbying in 2015, he told then-House Speaker Madigan he was "at the bridge with my musket standing with and for the Madigan family."