Feds seek to compel testimony from ex-state Rep. Eddie Acevedo in Madigan's corruption trial
Federal prosecutors are asking the judge presiding over former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan’s corruption trial to compel the testimony of former state Rep. Edward “Eddie” Acevedo after his attorney told them he plans to assert his Fifth Amendment rights.
The feds filed a two-page petition late Thursday night, signed by Acting U.S. Attorney Morris “Sonny” Pasqual. It asked U.S. District Judge John Blakey to grant Acevedo immunity from prosecution as a result of his testimony, unless he commits perjury or otherwise fails to comply.
Attached to the petition was a letter from Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Hodge dated June 1, 2022 — and addressed to then-U.S. Attorney John Lausch — approving the request.
Acevedo plays a role in two alleged bribery schemes in Madigan’s trial involving ComEd and AT&T Illinois. He has never faced criminal charges for that specific conduct, but he served a six-month prison sentence in 2022 for tax evasion in a spinoff prosecution.
His sons, Michael and Alex Acevedo, were also given brief prison sentences for tax crimes.
On Thursday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu told Blakey that Acevedo’s lawyer also signaled she would move to quash a subpoena for Acevedo’s testimony on competency grounds.
Madigan is accused of leading a criminal enterprise designed to enhance his political power and reward his allies. His longtime associate, Michael McClain, is also on trial and accused of acting as an agent of that alleged enterprise.
Prosecutors say that, as part of the conspiracy, Madigan agreed to accept bribes from ComEd in the form of jobs, contracts and money for his allies while legislation crucial to ComEd’s bottom line moved through Springfield. McClain has already been convicted for his role in that scheme.
The feds say Acevedo is one of five Madigan allies who were funneled money from ComEd while doing little or no work for the utility. They say Acevedo received $120,000 in 2017 and 2018, after he left the General Assembly, as part of the scheme.
Prosecutors also say that Madigan was bribed similarly by AT&T Illinois in 2017, as it sought to pass its own bill in the Legislature, by paying Acevedo $22,500.
Jurors have been told that Acevedo was important to Madigan because he was a leader in the Latino community, and that population had begun to grow in Madigan’s 22nd District.
Records from Acevedo’s sentencing in 2022 show that, earlier that year, he had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
“Mr. Acevedo initially developed symptoms of short-term memory loss in 2016 but reported worsening following a COVID 19 infection in 2020,” the records stated. “Currently, Mr. Acevedo reports misplacing items, forgetting grandchildrens' names, conversations and passwords, and difficulty paying his bills. His family and friends have also noticed waxing and waning forgetfulness.”
Contributing: Dave McKinney