The federal corruption trial of former AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza has begun, spotlighting allegations of bribery involving one of the state's most powerful politicians, Michael Madigan.
Key testimony is expected from Tom Cullen, a former top aide to Madigan, regarding AT&T's hiring practices and potential bribes. The case focuses on whether AT&T's employment of Eddie Acevedo, a former state representative and Madigan ally, was a calculated bribe to curry favor with Madigan or merely a strategic hire. Jurors have been presented with emails and testimonies highlighting the reluctance of AT&T Illinois to hire Acevedo due to his partisan approach and lack of discretion.
This trial is part of a broader investigation into Madigan's influence and the alleged exchange of jobs for political gain, raising questions about the intersection of business and politics in Illinois.
.Here are the top political news stories for today.
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No job at AT&T for 'loose-lipped' Madigan ally — until exec 'got a call,' jurors hear
Former longtime AT&T Illinois lobbyist Stephen Selcke took the stand Thursday as the star witness in the trial of ex-utility President Paul La Schiazza.
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‘Is there even a small contract for Eddie Acevedo?’: Jury sees emails from Madigan confidant asking AT&T to pay former state rep
Nobody at AT&T Illinois was keen on hiring Eddie Acevedo as a lobbyist when he retired from the state legislature in 2017, and not only because the South Side Democrat’s overly partisan style rubbed many of his colleagues across the aisle the wrong way,
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Former top political aide to Speaker Madigan to testify in bribery trial of ex-AT&T boss
Tom Cullen, a onetime top political aide to House Speaker Michael Madigan will testify Friday in the trial of a former AT&T Illinois boss accused of bribing Madigan by secretly paying a
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