Last week, a federal judge pushed former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s racketeering trial back six months because of an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case close-ish to home: Snyder v. United States.
Who is Snyder?
Former Portage, Indiana, Mayor James Snyder was convicted of soliciting and accepting a $13,000 bribe for steering city garbage truck contracts worth $1.125 million, the Times of Northwest Indiana reported. Snyder was also convicted of defrauding the IRS on his personal and business taxes.
Gratuity or Bribe?
After two federal trials and two convictions, Snyder’s lawyers are now arguing to the Supreme Court that gratuity doesn’t fall under federal bribery laws.
They say the money, received after the trucks were purchased in exchange for Snyder’s “consulting services,” is gratuity since there was no prior agreement to award the contracts in exchange for payment.
The legal team also argues federal circuit courts are divided on whether gratuities are criminal.
The ComEd Four: consultant Jay Doherty, lobbyist and former ComEd executive John Hooker, retired lobbyist Michael McClain, and former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore. (Tribune / Getty)
How Are Chicago Corruption Trials Affected?
The Supreme Court is expected to make a decision about the Snyder case by June, but public corruption defendants in Chicago are already being impacted, according to the Sun-Times:
- Madigan’s trial was bumped from April to October to avoid a potential retrial.
- The sentencing of the ComEd Four, who were convicted last year on corruption and bribery charges, could be delayed until after the higher court’s ruling.
