Fact Check: "U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced Michael Madigan in U.S. District Court in Chicago."
What We Know
Michael J. Madigan, the former Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey in Chicago. This sentencing followed Madigan's conviction on multiple charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery, stemming from a corruption case involving the utility company Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) (Justice.gov). The court found that Madigan had used his political position to solicit and receive financial rewards for himself and his associates, which significantly influenced legislative actions (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced Michael Madigan in U.S. District Court is supported by multiple reliable sources. The sentencing was widely reported, confirming the details of the case and the judge's involvement. According to the official announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Judge Blakey imposed the sentence after determining that Madigan had committed perjury during his trial (Justice.gov).
Additionally, the New York Times reported on the sentencing, highlighting the judge's condemnation of Madigan's actions and his false testimony during the trial, which the judge described as a "nauseating display of perjury" (New York Times). This corroborates the claim that Judge Blakey was the presiding judge in this high-profile case, further establishing the credibility of the information.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the Justice.gov announcement being an official government release, and the New York Times being a reputable news organization known for its thorough reporting.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced Michael Madigan in U.S. District Court in Chicago is accurate. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that Judge Blakey presided over the case and delivered the sentence following Madigan's conviction on serious corruption charges.
Sources
- Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Prison After Corruption Conviction
- Once-Powerful Illinois Democrat Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Prison
- Illinois Democrat sentenced to over 7 years in prison for corruption
- Michael Madigan gets 7.5-year prison term and $2.5M fine
