Fidel Marquez Exposes Corruption Ties to Madigan Allies in Court
- Fidel Marquez, a former ComEd executive, testified at the corruption trial regarding financial dealings with Madigan's allies.
- He described payments rerouted through lobbyists beginning in March 2017, including for Eddie Acevedo and Michael Zalewski.
- Marquez's testimony underscores the depth of corruption and manipulation underlying the political landscape involving ComEd.
During the corruption trial of Michael Madigan and Michael McClain, Fidel Marquez, a former ComEd executive, testified on November 6, 2024, regarding illicit payments to allies of Madigan. Marquez mentioned receiving payments through various lobbyist firms, including Shaw Decremer's and Jay Doherty's, beginning in March 2017. These arrangements aimed to maintain ComEd's influential connections in Springfield, particularly with then-State Rep. Eddie Acevedo and former Alderman Michael Zalewski. Marquez explained his concerns about these payments, especially with the impending change in ComEd's leadership from Anne Pramaggiore to Joe Dominguez. He expressed fears that Dominguez, a former U.S. Attorney, might be less agreeable to existing contracts. Tensions grew when Marquez sought permission to stop payments to Acevedo due to concerns about ComEd's relationship with Madigan. Recorded conversations played during the trial highlighted the inner workings of the ComEd operation, where Marquez discussed the necessity of these payments and the influence of subcontractors. Prosecutors showcased how these dealings reflected a broader pattern of corruption linked to Madigan's political network. Marquez's cooperation with federal authorities followed his bribery guilty plea in 2020, underlining the seriousness of the allegations against high-profile political figures in Illinois.