By Jason Meisner and Ray Long | Chicago Tribune
Former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan was sentenced Friday to 7 1/2 years in prison in his corruption case, capping a stunning fall for the once powerful politician.
The sentence of 90 months was handed down by U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey after the judge earlier in the hearing had found Madigan lied when testifying in his own defense during the trial. And it came after Madigan himself had addressed the court.
Madigan also was fined $2.5 million.
“I am truly sorry for putting the people of the state of Illinois through this. I tried to do my best to serve the people of the state,” Madigan told the judge. “I am not perfect.”
Madigan held himself out as always working for the people, but in the end he “fit right into the mold of yet another corrupt leader in Illinois,” a prosecutor argued Friday in asking for a stiff 12 1/2-year sentence.
In her argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker brought up comments from U.S. District Judge James Zagel more than a decade ago when he told former Gov. Rod Blagojevich that corruption at such high levels in government had torn the fabric of the state.
“Arguably the damage to the fabric of Illinois is even worse in this case,” Streicker says. “Governors, they came and went over the years, but Madigan stayed. His power and his influence remained constant.”
Streicker said Madigan also lied repeatedly on the witness stand when testifying in his own defense, “has yet to express a signal ounce of remorse, and has not taken a single step to take responsibility for what he’s done.”
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