AT&T Illinois to pay $23 million to settle federal investigation

CHICAGO (AP) — AT&T Illinois has agreed to pay a $23 million fine to resolve a federal investigation into its alleged illegal efforts to influence former Illinois President Michael Madigan, prosecutors said Friday.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago said in a press release that under the agreement, the company admits it arranged to make payments to an associate of Madigan, who was one of the prominent figures. most powerful politicians in the state at the time, in exchange for Madigan’s help. to pass the legislation sought by the company.

In exchange for agreeing to pay the fine, prosecutors stayed their criminal charges once morest the company, alleging it used an interstate facility to promote legislative misconduct. If, following two years, the company “complies with certain conditions, including continuing to cooperate with any investigation related to the alleged misconduct in the information”, the charges will be dropped.

Prosecutors say AT&T admits that in 2017 it arranged for a Madigan ally to receive $22,500 in payments through a lobbying firm that had worked for the company. Prosecutors argue that arrangements were made to “hide” why the ally, who did not work for the company, was being paid.

“AT&T Illinois acknowledged in the agreement that the then president of AT&T Illinois used an interstate facility to facilitate Madigan’s indirect receipt of something of value, namely payments to his ally, in exchange for Madigan’s vote and influence on a bill,” the US states. The prosecutor’s office said in the statement.

The Associated Press