Madigan's Vast Patronage System and Bribery Scandal Unveiled in ComEd Trial

Former ComEd Vice President Fidel Marquez testified in the trial of Michael McClain and three other former political power players about how he and other ComEd executives fielded constant requests to find jobs for people pushed for employment by Michael Madigan, even when evaluations found their qualifications lacking. The trial accuses the four of arranging for Madigan’s associates to get jobs, contracts, and money in an illegal bid to sway Madigan while legislation crucial to ComEd moved through Springfield. Prosecutors moved into the heart of their case with the testimony from Marquez, who was approached by the FBI in January 2019 and agreed to cooperate in its intense investigation of Madigan and others.