CHICAGO (WLS) — The federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan involves former state Rep. Eddie Acevedo, who is scheduled to testify next week, according to the presiding judge.
His attorney said Acevedo, the last pivotal witness for prosecutors, has been diagnosed with dementia, and is not competent to testify.
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The attorney did not provide medical records.
The judge said Wednesday he weighed Acevedo’s credibility and competency and said he is required to testify.
The judge also assured Acevedo that he will not face repercussions if he provides honest testimony, even if it may implicate him in wrongdoing.
“You do not have the right under the law to refuse to testify,” Judge John Blakey said.
The government has applied immunity to him.
Mike Madigan trial live updates: Former state Rep. Acevedo to testify in ex-speaker trial
Prosecutors allege that Acevedo, known to be a close associate of Madigan, allegedly received substantial payments from AT&T back in 2017. This financial support was reportedly part of AT&T’s strategy to gain favor with Madigan in order to push through key legislative measures.
Acevedo’s testimony is expected to be the prosecution’s final phase in the case at the Dirksen Federal Building.
It’s a big win for prosecutors.
Walking slowly with the help of a walker and his son, 61-year-old Acevedo got into a waiting vehicle outside the federal courthouse Wednesday morning, minutes after a federal Judge ordered the former state representative to be back on Monday morning, ready to take the stand as a witness.
Acevedo’s testimony will cap the government’s last remaining conspiracy count against the former House speaker and his close friend and associate, Michael McClain.
An email from McClain to an AT&T executive was sent just two hours after the utility company secured a crucial face-to-face meeting with Speaker Madigan in February of 2017.
It said, “Bob, is there even a small contract available for Eddie Acevedo?”
At the time, the company was trying, not for the first time, to get rid of what was known as COLR: a mandate that required AT&T provide universal land line service.
“As long as you are sure we will get credit and box checked,” AT&T CEO Paul La Schiazza said in an email signing off on the contract several weeks later.
That email was just one of dozens regarding the Acevedo contract introduced into evidence Wednesday afternoon.
Just weeks after the AT&T bill became law, La Schiazza received an email from Madigan’s son, Andrew, requesting a charitable contribution
The CEO wrote, “We are on the friends and family plan now.”
La Schiazza was indicted and tried separately for engaging in a conspiracy to bribe Madigan just three months ago. That trial ended with a hung jury.
The judge denied a defense team request to dismiss a count against Madigan Tuesday.
Madigan and co-defendant McClain face bribery and racketeering charges.
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