Co-defendant Michael McClain's defense begins closing arguments in former IL Speaker Mike Madigan corruption trial

CHICAGO (WLS) — Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s co-defendant Michael McClain’s defense began closing arguments Tuesday.

The jury began hearing defense attorney Patrick Cotter’s closing arguments on Tuesday morning.

Madigan’s defense team wrapped up their final presentation to the jury on Monday.

Madigan’s team started Friday afternoon, following a 12-hour closing argument delivered by the government over two and a half days.

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Madigan’s defense attorney Dan Collins continued his final presentation to the jury Monday by tearing into former alderman-turned-government-mole Danny Solis.

“He’s not simply a walking microphone,” said Collins, referring to the prosecution’s description of Solis last week, when they told the jury to set aside the long list of crimes committed by the former Zoning Committee chair.

Prosecutors asked the jury to assess his contribution as a witness solely on the basis of the mountain of undercover recordings he provided during his two-and-a-half-year cooperation.

“This is all a stage production by the government and Danny Solis,” said Collins, who has repeatedly said prosecutors have no evidence to prove the former House speaker ever solicited or received bribes from Solis or anyone else.

The tear down was just one of three Monday.

Madigan’s defense attorney applied the same treatment to former ComEd Executive Fidel Marquez, who, like Solis, turned government mole to avoid prosecution for his role in what the government has described as a years-long effort by the utility company to bribe the then-speaker in exchange for his help in Springfield.

Marquez recorded dozens of his phone calls and meetings with other ComEd executives, as well as with Madigan’s co-defendant, Mike McClain.

Collins said McClain was just an old lobbyist exaggerating his importance to others, using Madigan’s name without the speaker’s knowledge to push his own agenda.

On Friday, the judge told the jury not to expect to start their deliberations before Tuesday.

It was 14 weeks ago when the jury was first seated.

After McClain’s defense, the jury will hear the government’s rebuttal before going into deliberations.

Related Coverage: How we got to here

Opening statements begin in former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan corruption trial
Jury selection begins this week in corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan
ComEd to pay $200M in federal bribery investigation; Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan implicated in charge
House Speaker Michael Madigan polling Democratic caucus on whether he should step down
Special House committee to probe Michael Madigan bribery allegations stemming from ComEd investigation
IL House Speaker Michael Madigan continues to lose support amid ComEd investigation implications
Mike Madigan resigns as Democratic Party of Illinois chairman
Former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan indicted on charges including bribery, racketeering
Former IL House speaker Michael Madigan indicted on racketeering, bribery, more
Mike Madigan charged with crimes usually associated with Chicago mob
Michael Madigan indictment: Former House speaker pleads not guilty in federal corruption case
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan enters not guilty plea on all counts in federal case
All defendants found guilty on all counts in ‘ComEd 4’ trial surrounding ex-Speaker Mike Madigan
Jury finds Mike Madigan confidant Tim Mapes guilty in perjury case
Former Speaker Mike Madigan lawyers ask judge to dismiss 14 counts, citing recent SCOTUS ruling
Former IL House Speaker Michael Madigan takes stand in own defense in corruption trial

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