Key Witness Testifies in Michael Madigan Corruption Trial Despite Health and Memory Issues

Former Illinois state Rep. Edward Acevedo, granted immunity, provides conflicting testimony in racketeering case against ex-House Speaker Madigan.

Edward Acevedo, a former Illinois state representative and key witness, testified in the corruption trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan after being granted immunity.
Acevedo’s testimony included conflicting accounts of his work for AT&T Illinois and Commonwealth Edison, raising questions about his reliability due to dementia and other health issues.
Prosecutors allege Acevedo received $142,500 in no-show consulting payments from AT&T and ComEd in exchange for Madigan’s legislative influence.
Defense attorneys highlighted Acevedo’s memory problems and prior tax evasion conviction to undermine his credibility as a witness.
Madigan, 82, faces charges of running his political operations as a criminal enterprise, with prosecutors nearing the conclusion of their case.