2 years, 11 months ago by Scott Hardy
Defense lawyer says prosecutors are "on the brink" of filing new charges
More charges may be filed in the case of a long-time Quincy resident, and close associate of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who's pleaded Not Guilty to Federal charges that he helped set up a bribery scheme with Commonwealth Edison.
Lawyers for former State Representative and lobbyist Mike McClain and three other people were all part of a phone conference Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that during the hearing, one of the defense lawyers told a Federal judge that prosecutors were "on the brink" of filing a superceding indictment. Besides new charges, that indictment could also mean more defendants in the case. Prosecutors only said that the subject may come up at an August 3rd hearing. McClain and the three others were indicted in November on nine counts of bribery and conspiracy. The indictment says that the alleged scheme had the utility provide do-nothing jobs to Madigan loyalists in exchange for the speaker’s help with legislation. It alleges that over $2 million in payments were made to a company run by one of the defendants. McClain served with Madigan in the House in the 1970s and early 1980s before becoming a lobbyist.
McClain's free on a $10,000 recognizance bond.
