Former ComEd lawyer’s testimony highlights Madigan’s alleged influence in pushing energy bill
Tom O’Neill’s lengthy testimony in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan continued Tuesday.
chicago – Lengthy testimony from former ComEd chief counsel continued Tuesday in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain.
Madigan and McClain’s attorneys spent much of the day cross-examining Tom O’Neill. On the witness stand, he answered questions about internal ComEd emails and the passage of legislation related to increasing utility rates in exchange for upgrades to the electric grid system.
This came after O’Neill faced questions from federal prosecutors throughout the day on Monday.
Throughout the day, jurors were presented with dozens of pages of emails, including conversations about the Future Energy Jobs Act of 2016 (FEJA). According to O’Neill’s testimony, the bill provided ComEd with financial stability.
Internal communications shared with jurors showed how former ComEd executives worked together to secure support for bills including FEJA.
Mr. O’Neill also testified that he felt encouraged to accept requests for work from Mr. Madigan and Mr. McClain, including renewing his contract with former politician Victor Reyes’ law firm.
Allegations of favors and political connections are at the heart of the case, with Madigan and McClain facing 23 felonies, including extortion, bribery, wire fraud and extortion.
Meanwhile, the reason why Illinois Congressman Robert Rita, who began testifying last week, has not yet returned to the stand after a weekend recess has not yet been made public this week.
Testimony is scheduled to end Tuesday at 5 p.m.
