Ex-ComEd Execs, Lobbyists Lose Bids to Undo Bribery Convictions

A group of former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists accused of paying former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D) to advance the utility company’s legislative agenda lost their respective bids for acquittal Thursday.

The US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois also denied the defendants a new trial.

The defendants argued, among other things, that by alleging bribery, the government assumed the burden of showing a quid pro quo but failed to. But Judge Harry D. Leinenweber said he wasn’t convinced.

The government’s case “was consistent with gratuities,” and the record contained sufficient evidence of a “this” for ...