Judge John Blakey said prosecutors have shown that Michael Madigan “willfully gave false testimony with respect to material matters in this case.” “If a defendant decides to take the stand and tell the jury a story, he does so at his own risk,” Blakey said. The judge’s comments come about an hour after Madigan’s attorney said “honesty is a core value” to the former speaker. Judge John Blakey said “the government has carried its burden with overwhelming evidence” showing Michael Madigan “clearly rises to the level of organizer, leader or supervisor” for the purposes of the sentencing guidelines. “Madigan acted as the central command post of the entire bribery scheme and, but for his leadership role within it, none of it would have occurred,” Blakey said. Blakey made the comments during a detailed breakdown of his reasoning on what guidelines should govern the length of time Madigan is facing in prison. Blakey also pointed to the expectation that ComEd’s legislation at issue in the case would “increase the company’s shareholder value by $400 million.” He called that a “reasonable,” “reliable” and “conservative” estimate of the value of the ComEd conspiracy. It’s important to note Blakey is not required to abide by the sentencing guidelines. During a discussion over letters of support written for the former House Speaker, Madigan attorney Lari Dierks told Judge Blakey that it’s the former speaker’s position that he is innocent. But Blakey presses Dierks on whether Madigan insists on his innocence?
Dierks (after looking back at co-counsel): "Yes, your honor." The exchange came after Dierks told Judge Blakey that it “matters greatly” that more than 130 people wrote letters to the court in support of Madigan. “They shared that Mike is known for being truthful. His word is his bond. Honesty is a core value to him,” Dierks said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz retorted that “Madigan got on the stand and lied. And these were purposeful lies, intended to affect the jury’s decision-making process.” Schwartz pointed to Madigan’s claim that he expected his allies to work for the money they were paid by ComEd. Dierks disputed what Schwartz said, but Blakey interrupted Dierks to ask if it is her position that Madigan is “not guilty of any of the counts.” At first Dierks tried to punt on the question, but when Blakey pressed her on whether Madigan insists on his innocence, Dierks told him, “Yes, your honor.” Moments after the hearing started, Madigan, wearing a black suit, was called to stand in front of Blakey. The judge asked the former house speaker how we was feeling. Madigan smiled and said, “I’ve had better days.” Blakey then walked Madigan through how the hearing would go. He told Madigan about a conversation he once had with another judge who told him that the day he found sentencing a person easy, “is the day you have to quit.” “I’m not in danger of quitting today,” Blakey said. The sentencing hearing for former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan is now underway. Judge John Blakey started the hearing a little after 1 p.m. before a packed courtroom. Madigan’s children Andrew, Tiffany and Nicole are in the courtroom to support their father. Madigan’s daughter, former four-term Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, is not seated with family in the courtroom.
CONTINUE READING
Dierks (after looking back at co-counsel): "Yes, your honor." The exchange came after Dierks told Judge Blakey that it “matters greatly” that more than 130 people wrote letters to the court in support of Madigan. “They shared that Mike is known for being truthful. His word is his bond. Honesty is a core value to him,” Dierks said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Schwartz retorted that “Madigan got on the stand and lied. And these were purposeful lies, intended to affect the jury’s decision-making process.” Schwartz pointed to Madigan’s claim that he expected his allies to work for the money they were paid by ComEd. Dierks disputed what Schwartz said, but Blakey interrupted Dierks to ask if it is her position that Madigan is “not guilty of any of the counts.” At first Dierks tried to punt on the question, but when Blakey pressed her on whether Madigan insists on his innocence, Dierks told him, “Yes, your honor.” Moments after the hearing started, Madigan, wearing a black suit, was called to stand in front of Blakey. The judge asked the former house speaker how we was feeling. Madigan smiled and said, “I’ve had better days.” Blakey then walked Madigan through how the hearing would go. He told Madigan about a conversation he once had with another judge who told him that the day he found sentencing a person easy, “is the day you have to quit.” “I’m not in danger of quitting today,” Blakey said. The sentencing hearing for former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan is now underway. Judge John Blakey started the hearing a little after 1 p.m. before a packed courtroom. Madigan’s children Andrew, Tiffany and Nicole are in the courtroom to support their father. Madigan’s daughter, former four-term Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, is not seated with family in the courtroom.
