Madigan Ally McClain, Former ComEd CEO Indicted
Former State Representative and lobbyist Mike Mc
From the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago:
CHICAGO — Former Commonwealth Edison executives, including the former Chief Executive Officer, conspired with outside consultants to corruptly influence and reward a high-level elected official for the State of Illinois to assist with the passage of legislation favorable to the electric utility company, according to an indictment returned today in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
The indictment charges four individuals with bribery conspiracy, bribery, and willfully falsifying ComEd books and records:
MICHAEL McCLAIN, 73, of Quincy, Ill. McClain worked as a lobbyist and/or consultant for ComEd after serving in the Illinois House of Representatives in the 1970s and early 1980s.
ANNE PRAMAGGIORE, 62, of Barrington, Ill. Pramaggiore was CEO of ComEd from 2012 to 2018, and later served as a senior executive at an affiliate of Exelon Corp., of which ComEd was a subsidiary.
JOHN HOOKER, 71, of Chicago, Ill. Hooker served as ComEd’s executive vice president of legislative and external affairs from 2009 to 2012, after which he worked as an external lobbyist for ComEd.
JAY DOHERTY, 67, of Chicago, Ill. Doherty owned Jay D. Doherty & Associates, which performed consulting services for ComEd from approximately 2011 to 2019.
This is the latest saga in the walls seemingly closing in on House Speaker Michael Madigan, who was implicated in the original case between the U.S. Attorney and ComEd.
McClain is considered by many to be one of Madigan’s closest associates.
The four are indicted with identical charges, and the government alleges they acted to “corruptly solicit and demand, and to accept and agree to accept from another person things of value, namely, jobs, contracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and contracts, for the benefit of Public Official A and his associates, intending that Public Offlcial A, an agent of the State of Illinois, be influenced and rewarded in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving things of value of $5,000 or more, namely, legislation affecting ComEd and its business..”
They are also accused of “corruptly give, offer, and agree to give things of value, namely, jobs, contracts, and monetary payments associated with those jobs and contracts, for the benefit of Public Offlcial A and his associates, with intent to influence and reward Public Official A, as an agent of the State of Illinois, in connection with any business, transaction, and series of transactions of the State of Illinois involving things of value of $5,000 or more, namely, legislation affecting ComEd and its business.”
Public Official A is, of course, Speaker Madigan.
It has not been revealed yet if McClain is cooperating with prosecutors.
Republicans pounced on the announcement.
“Today's news makes it abundantly clear that the Democratic Party of Illinois, chaired and controlled by Speaker Madigan also known as Public Official A, is a corrupt organization that has run its course. For the past many months and years, Madigan's apologists from the Governor to the rank-and-file House Democrats have turned a blind eye to his corrupt practices,” said House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs). “Speaker Madigan and his long list of defenders need to be removed from power, and that starts with Chairman Welch reconvening the Special Investigating Committee immediately.”
Incoming Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) echoed Durkin’s comments.
“Obviously, this in no surprise to the public. Democrats have enabled Madigan and his corruption for decades,” he said. “They must finally and irrevocably reject the machine that controls this state. Cast Madigan aside and give control to the people once again.”
No arraignment date has been announced for the four defendants yet.