Michael Madigan trial live updates: Closing arguments could begin next week in trial of former Illinois House speaker

Madigan’s defense is expected to consist of three witnesses, including his former District 13 aide and a successful novelist, who at one time was the former speaker’s lead attorney. But it was the real estate developer, who, in a way, started this whole investigation, who took the stand first.

It was July 18, 2017, when Madigan first met real estate developer Andy Cretal at his tax law firm’s office in the Loop. That meeting, without the knowledge of either of them, was recorded by the councilor of district 22, turned government mole, Danny Solís.

At the time, Cretal was looking to build what are now the Union West Apartments in the West Loop, the Solis neighborhood. But it wasn’t until weeks earlier, when Madigan called Solis out of the blue for an introduction, that the FBI’s ears perked up.

The phone call was as follows:

Solis: “Do you know the developer?”
Madigan: “Those people?”
Solis: “Do you know the people there?”
Madigan: “No, but I would like to.”

Madigan, along with his co-defendant, Mike McClain, are accused of running a criminal enterprise that sought to use his position in Springfield to enrich the speaker and his cronies, in part by illegally directing business to his law firm.

Another video played in court showed an exchange between Solis and Madigan.

Solís: “Did you want to meet us?”
Madigan: “On the phone, you commented that there was a quid pro quo.”
Solis: “Oh, sorry, yes.”
Madigan: “Yes.”
Solis: “Okay.”
Madigan: “You shouldn’t talk like that. You’re just recommending our law firm.”

And yet, as McClain’s defense rested Thursday morning, Madigan’s attorneys called Andy Cretal to the stand, hoping his testimony would help them combat those allegations.

“Have you ever felt threatened, afraid, or intimidated into hiring that law firm?” attorney Dan Collins asked.

“I didn’t do it,” Cretal said.

And yet, during cross-examination, prosecutors asked Cretal if he was concerned that the development would not be permitted if they did not hire Madigan’s law firm.

“That was a concern of mine, yes,” he said.