Fact Check: "Madigan's former legislative colleague, Michael McClain, was tried alongside him."
What We Know
Michael Madigan, the former Illinois House Speaker, and Michael McClain, a longtime lobbyist and confidant of Madigan, were involved in a high-profile corruption trial. However, they were not tried together in the same legal proceedings. Madigan faced a total of 23 charges, while McClain was a co-defendant in a separate trial that concluded earlier. McClain was previously convicted in 2023 for his role in a bribery scheme involving Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) but was not tried alongside Madigan in the most recent trial where Madigan was found guilty on 10 of 23 counts (Capitol News Illinois, NBC Chicago).
During the trial, McClain's attorney emphasized that McClain was not involved in any bribery scheme and that the allegations against him were unfounded (WTTW). The jury ultimately deadlocked on the charges against McClain, leading to a mistrial on those counts (Capitol News Illinois).
Analysis
The claim that Michael McClain was tried alongside Michael Madigan is misleading. While both individuals were implicated in corruption schemes and faced serious charges, their trials were distinct. McClain's previous conviction in the "ComEd Four" trial in 2023 does not equate to being tried alongside Madigan in the latest proceedings (Better Government Association).
The credibility of the sources reporting on this matter is generally high, as they come from established news organizations and legal analyses. The details provided by WTTW and Capitol News Illinois are corroborated by multiple reports, including those from NBC Chicago and the Better Government Association, which all confirm that Madigan and McClain were not tried together in the most recent trial (NBC Chicago, Better Government Association).
Furthermore, the distinction between their trials is significant, as it highlights the complexities of legal proceedings in corruption cases involving multiple defendants. The jury's deadlock on McClain's charges indicates that the evidence against him was not sufficiently compelling to secure a conviction at that time (Capitol News Illinois).
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that Michael McClain was tried alongside Michael Madigan is inaccurate. While both were involved in corruption allegations, their trials were separate, and McClain was not a co-defendant in Madigan's recent trial. This distinction is critical in understanding the legal proceedings and the outcomes for each individual.
Sources
- 'The Story Isn't True': Attorney for Madigan Co-Defendant ...
- UPDATED: Madigan guilty of bribery as split verdict ...
- Michael Madigan found guilty on 10 counts in split verdict - NBC Chicago
- Friendship between Madigan and McClain became 'a ...
- Better Government Association Statement: Madigan Trial ...
- Once inseparable, trial divides Madigan and McClain
- Ex-Illinois House speaker sentenced to more than seven ...
- Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan arrives at federal ...
