Pay to Play Updates - April 2022 - Pay to Play Law Blog

An excerpt of Dentons’ Political Law Playbook.

Ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charges – Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was indicted last month on federal racketeering charges purporting that Madigan participated in a series of bribery and extortion schemes during the period between 2011 and 2019. Both Madigan and his attorneys denied the allegations in written statements, asserting that they intended to fight them in court. Michael McClain, a former state legislator, lobbyist and friend of Madigan’s, is also facing separate charges alleging he orchestrated a bribery scheme by the utility giant Commonwealth Edison. In addition to the noted criminal charges, the indictments also contain forfeiture allegations against both Madigan and McClain seeking $2.8 million in alleged “ill-gotten gains.”

About the Political Law Playbook

Dentons’ Political Law Playbook is a monthly update on the most important developments in the areas of political law, government ethics, campaign finance, lobbying and election law. Each edition of Political Law Playbook will cast a spotlight on the unique issues at the intersection of law, policy and politics and give you a window into how the Dentons Political Law, Ethics and Disclosure team can help you navigate the compliance challenges you face.

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Illinois, In The News, pay-to-play, Racketeering

About Benjamin Keane

Ben Keane is a Partner in the Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA offices of Dentons and co-head of the firm’s Political Law, Ethics and Disclosure Team. Mr. Keane focuses his practice on the representation of elected officials, political candidates, PACs, SuperPACs, political parties, corporations, non-profit organizations and other entities with regard to federal, state and local election law, campaign finance, lobbying, pay-to-play, and ethics matters. He regularly counsels businesses, trade associations and other non-profits on the establishment and maintenance of successful political law compliance frameworks. Additionally, Mr. Keane assists clients across the country with political law investigation and audit matters involving federal, state and local government authorities, and frequently counsels presidential nominees, appointees and other federal officials on confirmation and ethics matters.

About Michael Pfeifer

Michael Pfeifer is member of Dentons' Political Law, Ethics and Disclosure team. The focus of his practice is providing lobbying, campaign finance, and government ethics compliance counsel and representation to trade associations, political action committees (PACs), corporations and other business entities, non-profit organizations and elected officials at the federal, state and local levels.

About C. Randall Nuckolls

Randy Nuckolls is a partner Dentons’ Washington, D.C. office and is a member of the Public Policy practice. He has more than thirty years of experience working on federal policy issues.

About Michael Zolandz

Mike Zolandz is the chair of Dentons' Federal Regulatory and Compliance practice, and serves as the Managing Partner for Dentons’ Washington, DC office. Mike focuses his practice on advising clients on their most critical and complex trade compliance and foreign investment projects, specializing in cross-border transactions and regulations related to international commerce.