Former Illinois lawmaker sentenced to over 7 years in prison for corruption
Former Illinois lawmaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to more than seven years in prison following a federal corruption trial in Chicago.
Madigan, the longest serving legislative leader in U.S. history, will also be required to pay a $2.5 million fine following a February conviction on 10 of 23 counts of corruption.
'I'm truly sorry for putting the people of the state of Illinois through this,' Madigan, the former speaker of the state house, said before the sentencing according to the Associated Press.
'I tried to do my best to serve the people of the state of Illinois,' he said. 'I am not perfect.'
His defense attorneys pushed for five years probation, hoping that he could stay at home to care for his wife Shirley, who's suffering from aging complications.
However, U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey showed little leniency for the 83 year old who prosecutors said undertook corrupt dealings for years with supporting evidence from 60 witnesses and stacks of documents.
'Being great is hard. Being honest is not. It's hard to commit crimes. It actually takes effort,' Blakey said during the hearing.
The Democrat was once lauded for his historic political career, after serving as speaker for the Illinois General Assembly for 50 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said Madigan forwent opportunities to support an 'honest government' but 'fit right into the mold of yet another corrupt leader in Illinois,' as reported by the AP.
As a result of Streicker's court presentation, jurors found Madigan guilty for overarching racketeering conspiracy on six counts while acquitting him on seven other charges.
The former elected official was facing up to 105 years in prison for the pile of charges and the judge said Madigan should be held accountable for not accepting guilt but committing perjury on the stand instead.
'You lied. You did not have to. You had a right to sit there and exercise your right to silence,' Blakey said per AP. 'But you took the stand and you took the law into your own hands.'
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