Fact Check: Madigan was convicted of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, and other charges.

Fact Check: "Madigan was convicted of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, and other charges."

What We Know

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was convicted on February 12, 2023, of 10 felony counts, which included bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud and using interstate commerce to facilitate bribery. His conviction was part of a significant corruption case involving the utility company Commonwealth Edison (ComEd). The jury found him guilty of orchestrating schemes that involved arranging no-show jobs for allies in exchange for legislative support favorable to ComEd, which was seeking to influence energy legislation in Illinois (source-2).

Following his conviction, Madigan was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison and fined $2.5 million. He is also required to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term (source-3). The judge noted that Madigan's actions represented a significant breach of public trust, despite acknowledging his long career of public service (source-4).

Analysis

The claim that Madigan was convicted of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, and other charges is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The details of the conviction were reported widely, confirming that he was found guilty of 10 felony counts related to corruption. The U.S. District Judge John Blakey characterized Madigan's testimony during the trial as a "nauseating display of perjury," which further emphasizes the severity of the charges against him.

The sources used in this fact-check are reputable news organizations, including CBS News and WTTW, which have a history of accurate reporting on legal matters. The information is consistent across various outlets, indicating a high level of reliability. Additionally, the context of Madigan's conviction is supported by the broader narrative of corruption in Illinois politics, which has been a focal point in state and national discussions (source-6).

While some sources may present slight variations in details or emphasis, the core facts regarding Madigan's conviction and the charges he faced remain consistent. There is no evidence to suggest that the claim is misleading or false.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Michael Madigan was convicted of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, and other charges is accurate. He was found guilty on 10 felony counts related to significant corruption schemes, and he has been sentenced to prison as a result. The evidence from multiple credible sources supports this conclusion.

Fact Check: Madigan was convicted of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud, and other charges.