Jury selection continues in day 2 of Madigan trial

CHICAGO — Jury selection continued Wednesday in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s landmark trial.

Madigan, 82, is accused of racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud and attempted extortion in an alleged scheme involving ComEd.

Michael McClain, a close confidant of Madigan, will also stand trial. McClain, along with others known as “the ComEd Four,” were found guilty last year on charges related to a conspiracy to bribe Madigan.

The four of them are currently trying to get their convictions thrown out.

In the trial, the government plans to call Alaina Hampton to testify. Hampton filed a lawsuit in 2017 against the Illinois Democratic Party and Madigan’s campaign alleging she was sexually harassed by a former Madigan aide.

The defense said her testimony is fraught with prejudice and the judge decided to limit what she can talk about.

Madigan, known as “the Velvet Hammer,” first took office in Jan. 1983 and served as Illinois House Speaker for 36 years. It was the longest speakership for anyone in any state in U.S. history.

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