Tim Mapes, former chief of staff to ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, was captured on dozens of undercover FBI recordings talking about his family, political fundraising and his ouster in a 2018 sexual harassment scandal.
The conversations shed new light on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and relationships among key members of Madigan’s inner circle as a series of scandals began to threaten the Democratic speaker’s decadeslong grip on power.
Prosecutors at Mapes’ ongoing perjury trial intend to play multiple recordings.
As evidence is introduced, it will be shared below throughout the trial. Check back daily for the latest. Read the latest reporting on the trial here.
Federal prosecutors played audio of Tim Mapes’ 2021 testimony before a federal grand jury during which he allegedly lied to protect his longtime boss, the once powerful Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan.
The playing of Mapes’ testimony offers a rare public glimpse into normally secret grand jury proceedings, lifting the veil on a key manner in which large-scale criminal investigations proceed and detailing some of the cat-and-mouse that goes on between prosecutors and witnesses and their attorneys.
Listen to the audio:
A transcript of proceedings on March 31, 2021. This was submitted into evidence on Aug. 16, 2023.
The following email exchange between Tim Mapes and Michael McClain on Dec. 5, 2019 was submitted into evidence by prosecutors on Aug. 14, 2023.
The following email exchange between Tim Mapes and Michael McClain on July 14, 2019 was submitted into evidence by prosecutors on Aug. 14, 2023.
The following email exchange between Tim Mapes and Michael McClain on July 16, 2019 was submitted into evidence by prosecutors on Aug. 14, 2023.
This phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes about a Chinatown land deal was recorded on May 30, 2018. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 15, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on May 16, 2018. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 14, 2023.
Listen to the audio
This conference call between Michael Madigan and his top advisors about the #MeToo scandal was recorded on May 1, 2018. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 15, 2023.
This email from Michael McClain was sent on Feb. 21, 2018 about taking the gloves off and fighting the #MeToo allegations. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 15, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on Feb. 15, 2019. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 16, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on Nov. 2, 2018. It was submitted into evidence in three clips on Aug. 17, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on Oct. 31, 2018. It was submitted into evidence in three clips on Aug. 17, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on Oct. 29, 2018. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 17, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on July 26, 2018. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 17, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on June 21, 2018. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 16, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on July 12, 2018. It was submitted into evidence in three clips on Aug. 18, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on June 27, 2018. It was submitted into evidence in three clips on Aug. 18, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on June 10, 2018. It was submitted into evidence in three clips on Aug. 18, 2023.
The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on June 6, 2018. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 18, 2023.
The following voicemail Michael McClain left Tim Mapes was recorded on June 6, 2018. It was submitted into evidence on Aug. 18, 2023.
Michael McClain, a longtime lobbyist, was often seated on a bench outside then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s offices, Rep. Bob Rita testified on Thursday.
Jurors were shown the below Tribune photo of McClain holding court from the bench facing the Capitol rotunda as he looked up at three other lobbyists standing nearby.
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Jurors on Aug. 10 heard the first of many recordings of wiretapped phone conversations.
Prosecutors played audio of a May 2018 conversation between Rita and McClain discussing gambling legislation.
“What’s our next move?” Rita asked McClain, kicking off a casual conversation. Twice, McClain tells Rita he will have to check with Mapes on how to go forward.
Listen to the audio
Prosecutors also introduced into evidence the layout of the Capitol showing the physical proximity of Madigan, Mapes and McClain’s offices.
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