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Court Grants Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and Lobbyist Michael McClain New Trials In Bribery Case
As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and lobbyist Michael McClain will be granted new trials on charges stemming from the wide-ranging bribery probe of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
On April 14th, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit said they must be released from prison, just hours after hearing arguments.
The order for release comes almost three years after the two were convicted along with retired ComEd Vice President John Hooker and former consultant Jay Doherty, as part of the so-called ComEd Four corruption case tying the utility to former Speaker of the House, Madigan.
Prosecutors had argued that the group orchestrated a years-long scheme to curry favor with Madigan by steering jobs and contracts to his allies in exchange for legislative help beneficial to ComEd.
From the Order:
“Appellant Anne Pramaggiore filed a motion for bond pending the resolution of her appeal. On November 10, 2025, a motions panel of this court denied her motion for bond under 18 U.S.C.§ 3143(b). Having heard argument in this appeal, we have reconsidered our previous order and hereby GRANT Pramaggiore’s motion for bond pending a new trial. Our opinion granting a new trial will follow.
We further find that appellant Michael McClain is likewise entitled to bond, because he has shown that he is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community and that the appeal raises a substantial question that will result in an order for anew trial. 18 U.S.C. § 3143(b)(1)(A), (B). We therefore also REVERSE the district court’s denial of McClain’s motion for bond pending resolution of his appeal.
Both Pramaggiore and McClain are entitled to release. The United States must make arrangements to release Pramaggiore and McClain from federal custody forthwith.Pragmaggiore and McClain must report to pretrial services in the Northern District of Illinois and comply with release conditions as ordered by the district court.”
See: Nos. 25-2349 & 25-2350 – UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff – Appellee v. ANNE PRAMAGGIORE and MICHAEL MCCLAIN, Defendants – Appellants
