ComEd CEO ‘wanted to make sure that we did everything possible’ to earn Madigan’s favor, feds’ key witness testifies

Former ComEd executive turned government informant Fidel Marquez called his ex-boss a “close” and “personal friend,” then detailed how she funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to associates of former House Speaker Michael Madigan to stay on his winning side.

The government’s star witness took the stand at the ComEd bribery trial on Monday as prosecutors presented FBI recordings and internal ComEd documents showing the money went to people who allegedly did no work for the utility company.

“She wanted to make sure that we did everything possible to make sure that Michael Madigan had a favorable disposition toward the company,” Marquez testified, referring to former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore.

Marquez agreed to cooperate with investigators in 2019 and secretly recorded his colleagues who are now on trial: Pramaggiore, ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, former ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain of Quincy and Jay Doherty, onetime City Club of Chicago president. 

The four are accused of arranging for jobs, contracts and money for Madigan’s associates while legislation crucial to ComEd moved through Springfield.