Testimony nearly over in ‘ComEd Four’ bribery trial, closing arguments expected next week

Before the jury came in Wednesday, attorneys for the defense told U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber they expect to be done with witnesses later in the day. Prosecutors may have a short rebuttal, but both sides said they would be ready for what could be an extensive jury instruction conference on Thursday.If that schedule holds, Leinenweber said he would send the jury home for a long weekend, with closing arguments in the case beginning Monday.

In a series of final questions, Jacobson asked Hooker over and over whether he thought they were illegally influencing Madigan by hiring lobbying subcontractors he’d recommended.Each time, Hooker shook his head and said firmly, “No.”In his questioning of Hooker, Cotter took it a step further, suggesting the entire premise of the prosecution -- that Madigan would put his thumb on the scale for ComEd because they hired some of his people -- was ludicrous.

Each time, Hooker said the subcontractor arrangement with Doherty had created “goodwill” with Madigan because they were able to “respond to a recommendation” from the speaker. He also made sure to say the subcontractors “added value to the company,” and that the arrangement was good for him because he “didn’t have to manage” them.

Throughout his climb at the utility, Hooker said he was constantly confronted by racist attitudes, including when he was first sent to City Hall in the 1980s as a company liaison, where some of the Black aldermen viewed him as an Uncle Tom. Asked if he went on a trip to Turkey with Madigan and Pramaggiore that has come up in previous testimony, Hooker quipped, “No, I’m not really a world traveler. The only turkey I deal with is at Thanksgiving.”Former ComEd executive John Hooker, left, a defendant charged in the ComEd bribery scheme, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on April 12, 2023, in Chicago.

“I decided I was going to work with everybody,” he said. “I was going to meet everybody, tell ‘em who I was and where I was from and build a relationship.”

Law Law Latest News, Law Law Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore to face cross-examination in ‘ComEd Four’ bribery trialFormer ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore is expected to face cross-examination in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial Tuesday after taking the witness stand earlier this week and denying participation in an alleged scheme to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan. anne is a gas
Source: chicagotribune - 🏆 8. / 91 Read more »

ComEd 4 trial: Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore returns to stand in bribery caseFormer ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore's statements stand in contrast to a multitude of emails and phone calls prosecutors have played in court over the last several weeks.
Source: ABC7Chicago - 🏆 284. / 63 Read more »

ComEd 4 trial: Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore defends actions in bribery case; Hooker testifiesThe former CEO struggled to explain how it was that she did not know ComEd was paying four of Michael Madigan's associates for no-work jobs. Lock her up . Look at that face you know she's lying . Money talks 🇺🇲👍 . Same old Chicago, just different players. So how do you get a job with a pension etc. and not actually work? Asking for a friend. Democrat corruption! Just like the mob!
Source: ABC7Chicago - 🏆 284. / 63 Read more »

Second ComEd 4 Defendant Takes The Stand as Trial ContinuesAnother surprise unfolded Tuesday in the ongoing ComEd corruption trial as a second defendant, one-time company lobbying chief John Hooker, took the stand in his own defense. ConEd and everybody else. Just rename yourself- rebrand to something like CEO Con Every One !
Source: nbcchicago - 🏆 545. / 51 Read more »

On witness stand, former ComEd CEO denies knowing contractors were tied to MadiganThough the trial is now entering its sixth week, there were hints Monday that it could be nearing its end. Put him away, we all know how crooked he is.
Source: fox32news - 🏆 547. / 51 Read more »