Bribery by public officials
Madigan v. United States
In brief
- Where it stands
- Petition Pending
Awaiting an order on the petition
- What it’s about
- Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan asks the Supreme Court to review his federal prosecution.
- What's at stake
- Madigan's request to challenge the federal prosecution remains unresolved; the Court has not agreed to review it.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
Prosecutors alleged that he promised help to a utility in exchange for jobs for political associates, and promised a job recommendation in exchange for client referrals; his petition challenges how federal bribery and fraud laws define a corrupt exchange and an “official act.”
Prosecutors alleged Madigan promised help to a utility in exchange for jobs for political associates, and a job recommendation to a governor-elect in exchange for client referrals.
The petition challenges how federal bribery and fraud laws define a corrupt exchange and what government actions count as an “official act.”
Question presented
1. Whether a public official acts “corruptly” under § 666(a)(1)(B) merely because he understands the alleged bribe-giver’s intent to influence or reward the official in connection with his official duties. 2. Whether future, unidentified legislation affecting a company’s financial struggles is a sufficiently specific “question or matter” under 18 U.S.C. § 201(a)(3). 3. Whether a legislator’s alleged promise to make a job recommendation to a governor-elect constitutes an “official act” under 18 U.S.C. § 201(a)(3).
What happens next
The Court must decide whether to hear the petition. No oral argument or decision window is set before the Court agrees to hear it.
Documents
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Case data updated: documents, description, document_url, proceeding_type
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Case data updated: documents, description, document_url, proceeding_type
Case data updated: documents, description, document_url, proceeding_type
Case data updated: documents, description, document_url, proceeding_type
New document added
Case data updated: documents, description, document_url, proceeding_type
Brief added: Petition
More questions
- What legal questions does Madigan ask the Court to review?
- He asks whether an official acts corruptly just because he understands the other person means to influence or reward him; whether future, unidentified legislation about a company's financial problems is specific enough to count as a legal matter; and whether promising to recommend someone to a governor-elect for a job counts as an official act.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.