CHICAGO: A former ComEd vice president pleaded guilty Tuesday to his role in what prosecutors say was a long-running bribery conspiracy in which the energy utility sought legislative support from one of Illinois most powerful Democrats, House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Fidel Marquez, who headed ComEds governmental affairs office until 2019 and is the first former executive charged in the ongoing investigation, entered the plea by video before Chicago-based U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland.
Marquez faces a maximum five-year prison term and a theoretical penalty of up to $300 million, which is twice the estimated value of the benefits in the ComEd scheme to provide jobs and vendor subcontracts for Madigan associates.
But under a 24-page plea deal, prosecutors would recommend probation and no prison time if Marquez cooperates fully with investigators who are almost certainly considering…