A federal appeals court upheld the corruption conviction of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, court documents revealed Monday.
Madigan was convicted last year on 10 corruption counts, including bribery, racketeering and wire fraud.
A jury found him guilty of pushing legislation in exchange for jobs and contracts for his associates.
Madigan is serving a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors previous said the Chicago Democrat built a private legal career that allowed him to amass a net worth of $40 million.
During a legislative career that spanned a half-century, Madigan served nearly four decades as speaker, the longest on record for a U.S. legislator. Combined with more than 20 years as chairperson of the Illinois Democratic Party, he set much of the state’s political agenda while handpicking candidates for political office. More often than not, he also controlled political mapmaking, drawing lines to favor his party.
Madigan spoke ahead of his sentencing last June to offer an apology.
“I am truly sorry for putting the people of the state of Illinois through this,” he said. “I am not perfect.”
