House Speaker Michael Madigan’s former authorized counsel testified at Madigan’s corruption trial on Wednesday that key laws pushed by ComEd and AT&T got here within the midst of a “political conflict” with then-Gov. Bruce Rauner and handed solely after months of negotiations and compromises.
But Heather Wier Vaught, who labored for the speaker’s workplace for greater than a decade and have become the workplace’s high lawyer, was additionally questioned about her loyalty to Madigan and efforts to show the wagons after the investigation into Speaker’s operation has develop into public. with a collection of FBI raids in 2019.
Wier Vaught would be the final witness referred to as by the previous speaker’s protection crew, which plans to relaxation the case Thursday morning.
The alternative of Wier Vaught as the important thing participant within the protection case demonstrates his significance to Madigan through the years. She was an avid supporter of the speaker, serving for a time as considered one of Madigan’s private attorneys, and dealt with delicate assignments such because the impeachment of Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2009 and the investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by Kevin Quinn , the speaker’s brother. handpicked thirteenth Ward Ald. Marty Quinn.
Wier Vaught’s testimony confirmed his outstanding place within the speaker’s world, acknowledging that he continued to attend conferences with the speaker and his employees even after leaving the workplace for the non-public sector.
“I used to be very dedicated to the speakership, not simply Speaker Madigan,” Wier Vaught testified. “And the Democratic caucus, too.”
His testimony was meant to bolster protection arguments that the previous speaker was a staffer who relied on his crew to barter payments and requested for his or her opinion earlier than taking a place. Wier Vaught additionally testified {that a} rigorous vetting course of was carried out to establish any potential conflicts of curiosity between his non-public legislation purchasers and state legislation.
Madigan, 82, a Southwest Side Democrat, and his longtime confidante Michael McClain, 77, of Quincy, are charged in a 23-count indictment that alleges Madigan’s vaunted state and political operations they have been run as a prison enterprise to extend his energy and enrich himself. himself and his associates.
In addition to alleged bribery schemes involving ComEd and AT&T Illinois, the indictment accuses Madigan of pressuring builders to rent the speaker’s legislation agency and making an attempt to acquire enterprise by secretly supporting laws to switch state-owned land in Chinatown to town in order that builders can construct a skyscraper.
Wier Vaught additionally had the chance to strengthen Madigan’s bitter political struggle with Republican Governor Bruce Rauner, saying that his conservative “Turnaround Agenda” was “the antithesis of what the Democratic Party stood for” and never what many Republicans wished.
Early in her testimony, Wier Vaught, who now works as a lobbyist and authorities guide, was telling the jury about her previous when she stopped to pour herself a cup of water.
“Be cautious: that jug is sophisticated,” Judge John Robert Blakey warned, as water spilled onto the witness stand.
Subsequently, throughout direct questioning, the decide politely interrupted Wier Vaught a number of occasions, asking her to talk extra slowly for the stenographer. “I do know you are nervous and that is okay. But you communicate greater than 300 phrases a minute, so attempt to decelerate,” the decide mentioned.
He was not as form throughout cross-examination, when he warned her to cease interrupting the prosecutor’s questions. “I will not inform you once more,” Blakey mentioned.
Wier Vaught testified that she joined the speaker’s bureau in her first full-time job out of legislation faculty. As deputy counsel, she was assigned to work immediately with House members on Madigan’s House guidelines, which prosecutors mentioned was a key a part of the speaker’s energy.
Wier Vaught, nonetheless, described the principles as a collaborative course of, saying she would exit and ask House members: “what are your considerations in regards to the guidelines, how would you prefer to see the principles change, what would it’s worthwhile to see with the intention to help them ?”
Wier Vaught testified that the principles have been modified many occasions based mostly on suggestions acquired from the Democratic caucus.
Wier Vaught was promoted to chief counselor after David Ellis left in 2014. She mentioned the political atmosphere in Springfield turned poisonous shortly thereafter with Rauner’s election as governor.
When requested about Madigan’s relationship with Rauner, Wier Vaught mentioned: “There was completely no relationship between the 2. We have been principally in the course of a political conflict.
Referring to the unprecedented two-year finances deadlock whereas Rauner was governor, he mentioned state providers have been primarily shut down. “We have been residing in a really traumatic time,” he mentioned.
That political rift crept into 2016 negotiations over the Future Energy Jobs Act, a ComEd-backed invoice that’s on the middle of corruption allegations in opposition to ComEd and Madigan.
In the midst of negotiations on the invoice, Wier Vaught mentioned, the speaker’s workplace realized that Rauner would help among the laws that was nonetheless being negotiated on the subsidy to 2 Exelon nuclear energy crops.
What was the response? Madigan legal professional Dan Collins requested.
“My private response? Sh–,” Wier Vaught mentioned, apologizing for the vulgarity.
Once settlement was reached, FEJA took a full vote within the House. Madigan didn’t vote on that invoice, he mentioned.
After leaving the speaker’s bureau, Wier Vaught briefly labored as a lobbyist for ComEd, he confirmed on the stand.
Collins additionally requested about Wier Vaught’s involvement in AT&T laws that seeks to finish necessary landline service, generally referred to by the acronym COLR. Wier Vaught testified that she was tasked with the negotiations by Madigan in 2015 and, in a memo to the relator, beneficial that or not it’s denied as a result of the corporate had not obtained FCC approval and the trouble was “untimely.”
Wier Vaught testified that there have been “objections and considerations” from power firms resembling Exelon and Peoples Gas concerning the COLR.
“If AT&T have been to not keep the copper wire traces … it will create a public security challenge” for issues like nuclear websites, the 911 system and hospitals, he mentioned.
Wier Vaught mentioned he mixed the COLR with the 9/11 reform, which was tough to go by itself. “Politically, whenever you ask members of the General Assembly to vote on issues that might immediately have an effect on individuals’s pocketbooks, (they) have a tendency to not wish to vote on these issues. And we had an issue with Rauner,” he mentioned.
Wier Vaught testified that, after combining the COLR invoice with 9/11 reform, he beneficial transferring the invoice to Madigan. The invoice was launched and handed, with Madigan voting “sure.”
Has Madigan typically adopted your recommendation? Collins requested
“Yes,” Vaught mentioned.
During cross-examination, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur delved into Wier Vaught’s historical past as Madigan’s high aide, asking if she was typically seen within the House.
“Oh sure, very, sure,” Wier Vaught mentioned.
Standing on the audio system’ podium subsequent to Madigan?
“YES. I might stand subsequent to the speaker, whoever was sitting within the chair,” he mentioned.
MacArthur additionally requested Wier Vaught about his actions after the FBI raids in May 2019. Wier Vaught confirmed that he contacted former Madigan staffer and strategist Will Cousineau that day and so they met on a bench exterior the State Library, throughout the road from the Capitol and close to the workplace of Cousineau’s consulting agency.
“Did this dialog happen in a public house? Out on a bench?” MacArthur requested, implying that they have been frightened about being recorded.
Wier Vaught confirmed he spoke with Cousineau in regards to the state of affairs, however denied speaking particularly in regards to the break-in at McClain’s residence, which he mentioned he was unaware of on the time.
The trial, which started on October 8 and has now reached its twelfth week of testimony, is lastly nearing its conclusion. Madigan’s protection crew is anticipated to relaxation the case Thursday, adopted by a short rebuttal from prosecutors. The decide mentioned closing arguments will possible start Jan. 22.
jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
