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  "path": "/comed-bribery-trial/2026/04/14/madigan-bribery-comed-conspiracy-bribery-chicago-crime-pramaggiore-mcclain",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-14T16:23:14.677Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>The feds' landmark conviction against a former ComEd CEO and a longtime lobbyist seemed on shaky ground Tuesday, with the potential release of the pair seemingly on the table following arguments before an appeals court panel.</p><p>A jury in May 2023 convicted former ComEd CEO <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-corruption-trials/2025/07/21/former-comed-ceo-gets-2-year-prison-sentence\" target=\"_blank\" >Anne Pramaggiore</a> and longtime lobbyist <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-corruption-trials/2025/07/24/madigans-political-fixer-gets-2-year-prison-sentence\" target=\"_blank\" >Michael McClain</a>, along with two others, for their role in a lengthy conspiracy to illegally sway former Illinois House Speaker <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/madigan-trial-news\" target=\"_blank\" >Michael J. Madigan</a>. The scheme involved the payment of $1.3 million by ComEd to five Madigan allies over eight years, purportedly to curry favor with the powerful Southwest Side Democrat.</p><p>The case was a precursor to Madigan's own trial and part of a massive corruption investigation that ended the careers of Madigan and former Chicago Ald. <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/usa-vs-edward-burke?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23559714611&gbraid=0AAAAA9e-Tg68yZEByKL9PL2B_huFykroS&gclid=Cj0KCQjwy_fOBhC6ARIsAHKFB79UXwxWqjw0Unfi76BbplLNq-zZ97hQVuEthZQ2bFZOZtFO-bYTxqEaArY0EALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" >Edward M. Burke</a>.</p><p>However, the case has been upended by a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting the reach of a bribery law used to convict McClain and Pramaggiore. During arguments before the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday, members of a three-judge panel asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Irene Sullivan repeatedly about the pair's conspiracy conviction, for which the jury could have found multiple \"objects,\" including bribery.</p><p>The judges wanted to know how they could be sure the jury didn't convict based on an invalid bribery theory, given the emphasis on bribery during the trial.</p><p>\"Here's the problem,\" Judge Thomas Kirsch asked. \"When you charge the case and try the case as a bribery case, what's to say the jury just didn't consider the illegal bribery object and stop right there?\"</p><p>Judge Joshua Kolar eventually asked about the potential release of Pramaggiore and McClain, who are serving two-year prison sentences, if a new trial is ordered. Pramaggiore attorney Paul Clement followed up by offering to file a motion for release Tuesday afternoon. The appeals court already rejected one such motion from Pramaggiore.</p><p>Kirsch told Clement, \"I don't think a new motion is necessary.\"</p><p>Joining Kirsch and Kolar on the panel was Judge David Hamilton. Hamilton was appointed by President Barack Obama; Kirsch was appointed by President Donald Trump; and Kolar was appointed by President Joe Biden. The judges didn't rule Tuesday, and it's unclear when they will. </p><p>Also convicted in the 2023 trial were longtime ComEd lobbyist John Hooker and onetime City Club President Jay Doherty. Hooker and Doherty did not appeal their convictions.</p><p>A separate panel heard arguments last week over <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/madigan-trial-news/2026/04/09/madigan-corruption-conviction-appeal-federal-7th-circuit\" target=\"_blank\" >Madigan’s conviction</a>. Madigan did not go to trial until late 2024, after the Supreme Court's ruling. </p><p><i>This is a developing story. Check back for updates.</i></p><div class=\"RelatedList Enhancement\" data-module data-align-center> <div class=\"RelatedList-title\">Related</div> <ul class=\"RelatedList-items\"> <li class=\"RelatedList-items-item\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/madigan-trial-news/2026/04/06/madigan-comed-corruption-supreme-appelate-court\" >Madigan, ex-ComEd defendants assembled a high-powered legal team for appeals court arguments this month</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p></p>",
  "title": "Convictions of ex-ComEd CEO, Madigan ally on shaky ground",
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-14T17:08:59.383Z"
}