Longtime Madigan Spokesman: Speaker had "Code of Ethics"
Steve Brown, the longtime spokesman to former House Speaker Michael Madigan gestures while the Speaker attempts to be recognized on the floor in 2004. (Photo: State Journal-Register)
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The longtime spokesman for former House Speaker Michael Madigan says there was “absolutely not” any sign of possible corruption or inside dealing during his time working with the state’s longest-serving Speaker.
Steve Brown, who worked with Madigan from 1983 until Madigan was ousted from his role in 2021, was long seen as a cagey insider who helped the elusive Speaker avoid public battles.
Madigan faces a 22-count indictment on federal racketeering and bribery charges stemming from allegations of a long-running scheme with utility Commonwealth Edison to enrich supporters and insiders with jobs and contracts. Madigan has pleaded not guilty.
“The Mike Madigan I know is someone who had a code of ethics that would prevent the public office from being used to him, clients of [Madigan’s] law firm, members of the law firm, and things like that,” Brown said in our conversation on WMAY in Springfield Tuesday. “I saw him turn people away who wanted to hire the law firm as a way to get an advantage with some legislative issue. That was something that did not happen.”
While some of the charges are under review due to a recent Supreme Court case that muddies the water on the difference between bribes and “gratuities,” Brown said actions with ComEd had been happening under the Statehouse dome for years.
“The things that are alleged by the government were activities that many, many groups, and especially, utilities, employed before the General Assembly for decades,” Brown said.
Brown said while ComEd admitted to a bribery scheme, the admission came from administrators who played no role in government relations work.
“The people who admitted that ComEd did something wrong were people who were not involved in any way in the whole process of what was going on in terms of the relationship between the company, the legislature, and the regulation of utilities in Illinois,” Brown said.
Madigan is scheduled to go on trial in October. Brown has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
