Jury seated in Madigan corruption trial, opening statements to begin Monday afternoon
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Opening statements in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan will begin Monday afternoon, after federal prosecutors and defense attorneys wrapped up a lengthy jury selection process.
The two sides spent more than two weeks picking 12 jurors and six alternates, with the final alternate being picked early Monday afternoon,
U.S. District Judge Robert Blakey said preliminary jury instructions and opening statements would begin around 1:15 p.m. Monday. Prosecutors have asked for two hours for their opening statement, while attorneys for Madigan and his co-defendant have estimated they need one hour each.
Madigan, 82, and his codefendant and longtime confidant, lobbyist Michael McClain, are facing a 117-page, 23-count indictment that charges them with racketeering, conspiracy, bribery, and wire fraud. Most of the counts carry up to 20 years in prison if they are convicted.
Federal prosecutors have accused Madigan of using his political power for personal gain over a nearly decade-long scheme. Madigan and McClain are accused of a bribery scheme involving multiple businesses—including ComEd—in which the businesses paid Madigan's associates as a reward for their loyalty to Madigan.
Federal prosecutors said Madigan used his various political positions as part of a long-term scheme to arrange for no-show jobs for his political workers, and personal benefits for himself and his law firm.
Madigan and McClain have pleaded not guilty to all charges, and defense attorneys are expected to argue the defendants did nothing wrong, and accuse prosecutors of trying to criminalize legal political actions.
The trial is expected to last 11 weeks at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in the Loop.
