(The Center Square) – Former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis is expected to complete his time on the witness stand Tuesday at the bribery and racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Codefendant Michael McClain’s defense team began its cross-examination of Solis Monday afternoon at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago. Solis, who agreed to cooperate with federal investigators in 2016, began testifying on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Before the jury was seated Tuesday, Madigan’s defense team objected to potential testimony from AT&T executive Jack Randall. Defense attorney Todd Pugh argued that Randall’s testimony would involve interstate telephone processing and was “extra relish added to the hot dog.”
Pugh said that he was fine with record-keeping testimony, but he said the jury would not easily understand the processing issues. McClain’s defense team joined the objection, saying that it appeared Randall would be offering an expert opinion.
Government attorneys argued that the objection was untimely and that there was no prejudice in the witness.
Judge John Robert Blakey said he would make Randall available to defense attorneys “at a minimum” before he was called to testify.
In September, a judge declared a mistrial after a jury deadlocked 11-1 on charges alleging that former AT&T Illinois leader Paul La Schiazza bribed Madigan.
La Schiazza had pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy, one count of corruptly giving something of value to reward a public official, and three counts of using a facility in interstate commerce to promote unlawful activity.
Brett Rowland contributed to this story.
