Jason Meisner
chicagotribune.com
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Past articles by Jason:
Ex-Speaker Michael Madigan’s work with DC public relations firm sparks #MeToo anger, apology
An email exchange included in last month's trial of Madigan former chief of staff Tim Mapes ignited a surprising political controversy. → Read More
Chicago City Council set to vote on $25 million payout to 2 men wrongfully convicted in murder of Chicago basketball standout
City Council Finance Committee OKs settlement deal. Three aldermen voted against the deal, with one saying it set a fiscally imprudent precedent. → Read More
After resounding ‘ComEd Four’ verdict, former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s legacy on the line
For Michael Madigan, the once-mighty Democratic House speaker, the issue in his federal racketeering trial next year isn't just guilt or innocence but how he will go down in history. → Read More
Jury reaches verdict in ‘ComEd Four’ trial
The jury has reached a verdict in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial centered on a group of former executives and lobbyists accused of conspiring to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan. → Read More
FBI searched Ald. Jim Gardiner’s text messages amid probe into alleged $5,000 cash payment from developer, court records show
There is no indication in the unsealed documents that Gardiner will be charged in connection with the alleged conduct. → Read More
‘ComEd Four’ jury begins fourth day of deliberations in bribery trial tied to Madigan
After a long weekend, a federal jury has returned Monday for a fourth day of deliberations in the “ComEd Four” trial . → Read More
‘ComEd Four’ jury ends a third day of deliberations and will return Monday
A federal jury deliberated for a third day Thursday without reaching a verdict in the “ComEd Four” trial. → Read More
‘ComEd Four’ jury asks its first question to court as it deliberates bribery case tied to ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan
A federal jury has resumed deliberations in the “ComEd Four” trial alleging a group of executives and lobbyists conspired to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan to win his influence. → Read More
Jury deliberating fate of ‘ComEd Four’ in bribery case tied to Michael Madigan; prosecutors calls payments to speaker a ‘corruption toll’
After nearly seven weeks of evidence and arguments, a federal jury is now deliberating the fate of the “ComEd Four,” a group of executives and lobbyists accused of bribing then-House Speaker Michael Madigan to win his influence over the utility’s legislative agenda in Springfield. → Read More
Defense attorney calls ‘ComEd Four’ bribery case ‘collateral damage’ in feds’ quest to bring down ex-Speaker Michael Madigan
Four executives and lobbyists got together on a scheme to shower then-House Speaker Michael Madigan with a stream of benefits, prosecutors said during closing arguments at the 'ComEd Four' trial. → Read More
Could Michael Madigan be bought? Jurors to weigh central question in ‘ComEd Four’ trial after closing arguments Monday
Lawyers for the ComEd Four defendants have tried to cast doubt by challenging the allegation built into the case that Madigan could be bought. → Read More
Testimony ends in ‘ComEd Four’ bribery trial, with closing arguments expected next week
After six weeks of testimony, the “ComEd Four” bribery trial involving an alleged scheme to bribe House Speaker Michael Madigan is nearing an end. → Read More
Apparent slip-up during ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore cross-examination leads to revelation about interview with feds
The cross-examination of former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore took a dramatic turn Tuesday when she inadvertently opened the door to questions about a 2019 interview with prosecutors. → Read More
‘We weren’t bribing Speaker Madigan’: Ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore back on witness stand in her own defense in ‘ComEd Four’ case
Former Commonwealth Edison CEO Anne Pramaggiore is scheduled to resume testifying in her own defense Monday in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial. → Read More
As ‘ComEd Four’ shifts to defense, FBI wiretaps could prove hard to overcome
The prosecution’s best testimony has come from the defendants’ own mouths, captured in the dozens of wiretapped phone calls and secretly recorded videos. → Read More
Ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore takes stand in own defense, says Speaker Madigan cared most about ‘staying speaker’
Ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, 64, the theater major from Ohio who rose to become one of the top female executives in the country, sounded Thursday like she could’ve been speaking at a City Club luncheon. → Read More
Former top counsel to Michael Madigan takes witness stand at ‘ComEd Four’ trial after prosecution rests
After 17 days of testimony, prosecutors rested their case outlining allegations that the utility tried to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan, and one defendant, former CEO Anne Pramaggiore, will testify. → Read More
‘I control the contract’: Longtime Madigan precinct captain Ed Moody takes stand in ‘ComEd Four’ bribery trial, says speaker set him up with lobbying deal
A legendary precinct captain for then-House Speaker Michael Madigan took the witness stand Tuesday in the “ComEd Four” bribery trial, telling jurors what it was like going door to door for the speaker. → Read More
‘ComEd Four’ trial delayed by scheduling issue
The prosecution in the "ComEd Four" trial is still expected to wrap up its case sometime this week. → Read More
Legendary Madigan precinct captain expected to give ‘ComEd Four’ jury street-level view of speaker’s vaunted political operation
As someone deeply embedded in Madigan’s organization, Edward Moody could potentially spill insider secrets. → Read More