Judge to rule in mid-December on whether to acquit a former AT&T exec accused of bribing Mike Madigan

A federal judge promised to rule by mid-December on whether to acquit a former AT&T Illinois executive accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.

As Paul La Schiazza returned to Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Thursday, the man he was accused of bribing sat in another courtroom listening to key witnesses testify in his own corruption trial.

In September, a jury — after deliberating for three days — failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the case against La Schiazza, a former AT&T Illinois president.

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman declined to schedule a new trial for the case until he could take a “serious look” at a defense motion for acquittal.

Both parties provided “excellent briefs … [which] makes the job a little harder at times,” Gettleman said Thursday as lawyers reconvened for oral arguments on the motion.

Defense attorney Tinos Diamantatos contended the government had not provided enough evidence for a “reasonable jury” to find that La Schiazza hired former state Rep. Edward “Eddie” Acevedo in exchange for Madigan’s support of legislation.

“They need to prove an offer or solicitation was made in exchange for an official act,” Diamantatos said Thursday. “Not just conjecture camouflaged as a reasonable inference.”

Prosecutors argued that Diamantatos mischaracterized an abundance of incriminating evidence.

The defense and prosecutors went back and forth for about three hours, in what Gettlemen characterized as “an unusually well-presented proceeding.”

“It’s important enough that I want to issue a written opinion on it,” Gettlemen told attorneys.

He intends to have the written decision released before both parties meet again on Dec. 19.

La Schiazza is accused of trying to bribe Madigan by paying $22,500 to Acevedo, a Madigan ally and fellow Southwest Side Democrat, while AT&T was trying to pass a significant piece of legislation.

Madigan, who is on trial for a racketeering conspiracy, is charged for his alleged role in the same scheme. His trial began on Oct. 8 and is expected to stretch into January.