AT&T Illinois will pay a $23 million fine for attempting to illegally influence former Illinois house speaker Michael Madigan (D), who has been accused of participating in bribery schemes.
The utility company tried to illegally influence Madigan, for decades the kingpin of Illinois Democrat politics, by arranging to pay over $22,000 to one of his allies while key legislation moved through the state’s capital, ABC 7 reported Friday.
“The utility has also entered into a so-called deferred-prosecution agreement with U.S. Attorney John Lausch’s office, similar to the deal cut by ComEd when the feds charged it with bribery more than two years ago,” the outlet said.