Ex-Speaker’s Former Counsel Testifies at Corruption Trial in Chicago

The ex-counsel for House Speaker Madigan testified about key legislation amid political tensions, highlighting her loyalty and the trial’s significance.

Ex-Speaker’s Former Counsel Testifies at Corruption Trial in Chicago
Ex-Speaker’s Former Counsel Testifies at Corruption Trial in Chicago

Chicago: So, the former top lawyer for House Speaker Michael Madigan, Heather Wier Vaught, took the stand at his corruption trial. She talked about how some major legislation from ComEd and AT&T came about during a tough political battle with then-Gov. Bruce Rauner. It took a lot of back-and-forth to get those bills passed.

Wier Vaught, who worked with Madigan for over ten years, faced some tough questions about her loyalty to him. The trial has been going on for a while, and she’s expected to be the last witness for the defense. It’s clear she played a big role in Madigan’s operations, even handling sensitive issues like the impeachment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

She mentioned that even after leaving Madigan’s office, she kept in touch and participated in meetings. Wier Vaught’s testimony aimed to show that Madigan was a team player who valued input from his staff when making decisions. She also pointed out that they had a solid process to avoid conflicts of interest.

Madigan, now 82, and his associate Michael McClain are facing serious charges, including running a criminal enterprise to boost their power and profits. The indictment includes allegations of bribery involving ComEd and AT&T, plus claims that Madigan pressured developers to hire his law firm.

Wier Vaught also discussed the political clash with Rauner, saying their relationship was non-existent and that they were in a “political war.” She described the tough times during Rauner’s governorship, especially the two-year budget standoff that left state services in limbo.

During her testimony, she shared some personal reactions to the political maneuvering, even dropping a casual “Sh–” when discussing negotiations. After leaving Madigan’s office, she briefly worked as a lobbyist for ComEd.

Wier Vaught was also involved in legislation related to AT&T, where she had to navigate some tricky negotiations. She explained how they combined different bills to make them more palatable for lawmakers, especially given the political climate at the time.

As the trial wraps up, it’s been a long journey, and closing arguments are expected soon. It’s been quite the spectacle, and everyone’s eager to see how it all plays out.

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