Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, once the most powerful politician in the state, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison and fined $2.5 million following his conviction on corruption charges. Madigan, 83, was found guilty of 10 out of 23 counts, including bribery and wire fraud, after a lengthy trial that featured extensive evidence and 60 witnesses. Despite his attorneys’ plea for probation due to his age and his wife’s health, U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey issued a stern sentence, citing Madigan’s dishonesty and abuse of power. Madigan, known as the “Velvet Hammer” for his...
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