(Bloomberg) -- Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the longest serving head of a statehouse in the U.S., was indicted on federal racketeering and bribery charges after becoming entangled in a probe of the state's largest electricity utility.
Madigan, a power broker in the state for decades, used “his official position to corruptly solicit and receive personal financial rewards for himself and his associates,” the U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday in a statement. The government's 22-count indictment includes forfeiture claims for $2.85 million from Madigan and close friend Michael F. McClain, who was indicted in 2020.
“The indictment accuses Madigan of leading for nearly a decade a criminal enterprise whose purpose was to enhance Madigan's political power and financial well-being while also generating income for his political allies and associates,” John R. Lausch Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District, said at a press conference in Chicago. The investigation is ongoing, he said.
Madigan, 79, faces a long prison sentence if convicted. The most serious charges carry maximum penalties of 20 years, Lausch said.
The former speaker has denied wrongdoing in the past and spokespeople didn't respond immediately to emails seeking comment on Wednesday.
Madigan stepped down as Illinois House speaker in early 2021 after growing opposition for his re-election to a post that he had held for all but two years since 1983. His departure came after a bribery probe led to a $200 million settlement by Commonwealth Edison, Illinois's largest electricity utility, and indictments against its former chief executive and three lobbyists.
‘Long-Term Scheme'
The indictment alleges that Madigan directed McClain, 74, to carry out illegal activities leading businesses to make payments to his associates as rewards without performing much or any work.
“Corruption by an elected official and his associates undermines the public's confidence in our government,” Lausch said in a statement. “The indictment alleges a long-term, multifaceted scheme to use public positions for unlawful private gain. Rooting out and prosecuting the kind of corruption alleged in the indictment will always be a top priority for this office.”
Madigan held various positions in Chicago and state politics and also served as a partner in a law firm. While he stepped down as Democratic party chair more than a year ago, he remains state central committeeman from the third Congressional district, a position he should resign from, Representative Robin Kelly, the Democratic Party of Illinois Chair, said in a statement.
“Illinois deserves better,” House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said in an emailed statement. “This is another chapter in the sad story of corruption that has pervaded every corner of the state that was touched by Mike Madigan and his Democrat enablers and has dismantled true democracy in Illinois.”
The Illinois House of Representatives and Senate are controlled by Democrats. Governor J.B. Pritzker, who is up for re-election in November, is also a Democrat.
“I've been saying for years now that we've got to root out corruption wherever it exists in government,” Pritzker said at an unrelated press conference earlier on Wednesday in response to reporters' questions. “Anybody who is guilty of corruption or corrupt acts in this state should be held to the fullest extent of the law, accountable for their actions.”
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