Michael Madigan’s defense team started questioning former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis at his corruption trial. Solis, who began cooperating with authorities in 2016, secretly recorded conversations until news of his cooperation leaked in 2019. He reached a deal with the government in 2018, allowing him to be charged with only one count of bribery, instead of multiple counts. This deal could help him avoid a 10-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. Solis also gets to keep his city pension, which pays him $7,900 a month, if he continues cooperating and tells the truth.
Solis admitted to accepting bribes but said he paid for all of the massages he received, which were arranged by his friends. He also went to Puerto Rico, where he stayed at a friend’s house, and he and other officials paid for prostitutes. Solis used campaign funds to pay for his airfare to Puerto Rico, claiming there was a political meeting there.
He also mentioned that his sister, Patti Solis Doyle, gave him payments for referring her to a vendors program.
Defense attorney Dan Collins questioned Solis about these payments and pointed out that Solis had not mentioned them to the government when he first cooperated. Solis admitted he didn’t fully report the payments or the amounts he received, especially regarding income from his sister’s organization, Solis Strategies. Collins introduced Solis’ tax returns, showing he failed to report over $100,000 in income. Solis said he didn’t remember the specific years or amounts but admitted he had made mistakes in his tax reporting.
Solis said that after starting his cooperation, he received more payments from his sister’s organization, which he reported as capital gains, following his sister’s advice. He said he didn’t know this advice was wrong.
Collins also asked about political donations, and Solis confirmed that he had made a donation to a political campaign on behalf of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who had promised to return the favor.
During the trial, there were mentions of conversations involving Governor J.B. Pritzker, but Pritzker later said he didn’t remember being involved in any discussions about helping Solis. The defense team continued questioning Solis about his actions, with further cross-examinations planned for the following day.
Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, are facing serious charges, including bribery and racketeering.