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In a notable development, an appeals court has granted bail to two individuals previously convicted in the high-profile ComEd Four case. This decision paves the way for new trials for lobbyist Michael McClain and former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, according to a spokesperson’s announcement.
The announcement followed a hearing on Tuesday, where the court reconsidered the sentences handed down to McClain and Pramaggiore. Both had received two-year prison terms for charges of conspiracy and falsifying records, charges that have been under scrutiny due to evolving legal interpretations.
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The push for a retrial gained momentum when Pramaggiore’s attorney presented arguments highlighting recent changes in the legal landscape. Specifically, the Supreme Court’s revised definition of bribery has prompted a reevaluation of the original trial’s outcomes. This shift in legal interpretation was central to the defense’s call for a new trial.
Both had been sentenced to two years in prison for conspiracy and falsifying records.
Pramaggiore’s attorney on Tuesday argued she should get a new trial, since the Supreme Court narrowed the definition of bribery.
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And McClain’s attorney argued his conspiracy counts should be overturned because he was not responsible for ComEd’s record-keeping.
A government attorney countered that there was sufficient evidence for the jury to convict.
She argued that the convictions should be upheld.
A spokesperson for Pramaggiore said in a statement, “We are very pleased that Anne Pramaggiore will be released on bail forthwith while the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit finalizes its opinion ordering a new trial in light of the intervening Supreme Court decisions rejecting the government’s theories. We thank the Seventh Circuit for moving as swiftly as it did to grant bail. It has never made sense that Anne Pramaggiore has served a single day in prison, much less the three months she has served — for ‘crimes’ the Supreme Court said did not exist.”
An attorney for McClain said, “We are pleased by the court’s release order and are looking forward to receiving its opinion.”
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