Ex-ComEd CEO, Madigan ally to be freed from prison as appeals court calls for new trial in conspiracy case

In what could be a crushing blow to one of Chicago’s most significant corruption prosecutions in recent memory, a federal appeals court ordered the release from prison Tuesday of former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and longtime lobbyist Michael McClain while promising to grant a new trial over whether they sought to illegally influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.

The news came four hours after a three-judge panel with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in the case. The ruling put the case back in flux, with a new trial far from a certainty given turnover in the office of U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros. For now, the feds aren’t commenting.

The ruling has no direct impact on Madigan’s separate conviction.

Pramaggiore spokesman Mark Herr said her team was “pleased” by the news. So did McClain lawyer Joel Bertocchi.

Read the full story at chicago.suntimes.com.