Former prosecutor: Hooker’s 18-month sentence sets precedent for ComEd Four

CHICAGO (WGN) — More than two years after he was convicted, one of the “ComEd Four” was sentenced to prison Monday, setting a powerful precedent for holding those who abuse political power to account, according to a former federal prosecutor.

Former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker left the Dirksen Federal Courthouse with his legal team after receiving an 18-month prison sentence for his role in the well-hashed out Michael Madigan corruption scandal.

Chris Hotaling, a member of the Government Investigations & White Collar Defense practice group with 16 years of experience as a federal prosecutor, said this case marks a major moment in holding powerful individuals accountable for activities that undermine public interest and abuse the power of political positions.

“Just as Judge Shah said today, this is a serious case of corruption and he just did not feel comfortable sentencing Mr. Hooker to a term of probation,” Hotaling said. “But also probably, given his age … that a sentence of 56 months was too much.”

During the day’s proceedings, Hooker stood before District Judge Manish S. Shah and expressed regret for how he sounded on FBI wiretaps.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, prosecutors said Hooker lied when he denied any involvement in the scheme centered around the former Illinois House Speaker, specifically when Hooker said he arranged for Madigan’s allies to be paid through a consulting firm so he could avoid extra responsibilities, and when he said he cared about what Madigan’s allies brought to ComEd.

Hooker’s most significant role in the conspiracy stemmed from a February 2019 conversation with Mike McClain, a longtime confidant of Madigan and another member of the ComEd Four.

The discussion, secretly recorded by the FBI, appeared to outline a plan to pay Madigan’s associates secretly.

Hooker, along with McClain, Jay Doherty and Anne Premaggiore were convicted in 2023 on charges that included bribery, conspiracy and willfully falsifying ComEd records.

The group arranged for ComEd to pay $1.3 million to Madigan allies through no-work jobs in exchange for legislation that favored the utility company.

With Hooker being the first to be sentenced on Monday, Hotaling said it sets the tone for what’s ahead for the three remaining defendants.

“I wouldn’t be slightly surprised if we saw slightly longer sentences for Ms. Pramaggoire and Mr. McClain,” Hotaling said. “Maybe a little lower for Mr. Doherty.”

Pramaggiore and McClain are scheduled to appear in federal court for sentencing next week.