Prosecutors play unheard recording, try to catch former Illinois House speaker in lie in Mike Madigan trial cross-examination

CHICAGO (WLS) — When Michael Madigan chose to take the stand in his own defense last week, his decision stunned most legal and political observers because of what is happening at the Dirksen Federal Building Monday.

The former Illinois House speaker is facing the fight of his life: going up against seasoned government prosecutors determined to prove his guilt.

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In perhaps the most consequential day of the trial so far, Madigan walked into Chicago’s federal courthouse Monday morning, ready to take the stand in his own defense for a third day. Gone were the mostly sympathetic questions from his legal team, as the government took their turn.

An undercover recording of a previously unheard telephone call between Madigan and his co-defendant, Mike McClain, was played early in the day. During the call, they appear to address the contracts ComEd gave to a handful of the then-speaker’s political allies.

“Some of these guys have made out like bandits, Mike,” Madigan said.

“Oh my God, for very little work, too,” McClain said.

“Yeah,” Madigan said.

With legal arguments over what questions could be broached during cross-examination consuming the entire morning, it’s still too early to determine whether the former speaker’s high-stakes gamble will pay off or backfire, as the more than three-month bribery trial enters its final stretch.

Prosecutors focused their initial efforts on trying to prove Madigan lied on direct, when he said he did not know some of the people hired on his behalf were not doing any work.

“You didn’t have an idea that your precinct captain wasn’t doing a lick of work for ComEd? Is that your testimony?” prosecutor Amarjeet Bhachu said.

“Yes, it is,” Madigan said.

During his testimony last week, Madigan sought to portray himself as a thoughtful, non-confrontational leader, who sought to help those who asked, as a matter of course.

But, he denied any wrongdoing, insisting that any jobs or contracts given to his allies or to his own private tax law firm were not bribes given in exchange for any action on his part.

Madigan’s cross-examination will continue into Tuesday, after which, the former speaker’s defense team has indicated they still have at least two more witnesses to call before resting their case.

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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