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2020-07-31 Home Front: Politix
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ComEd bribery scheme hearing is run by daughter-in-law of alleged key player
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 [MSN] Here’s an opening sentence one might only get to write in an Illinois newspaper:
Nearly two weeks after admitting to a bombshell bribery charge, ComEd executives outlined their ethics reform plan to a panel of state regulators led by the relative of an alleged player in the criminal plot.
Illinois Commerce Commission Chairwoman Carrie Zalewski, whose agency oversees utility rates and safety practices, opened Wednesday’s meeting with demands for "transparency" and "accountability" in light of federal court records that allege ComEd engaged in a "yearslong bribery scheme" involving jobs, contracts and payments to allies of House Speaker Michael Madigan.
One of the Madigan associates that prosecutors say got such a job? Carrie Zalewski’s father-in-law, former 23rd Ward Ald. Michael Zalewski.
That connection was largely ignored during the hearing, however, even as Zalewski herself called the payments "unethical."
Of the agency’s five commissioners, only Sadzi Oliva questioned Zalewski’s participation in the hearing. Oliva, a former state prosecutor, said she would feel "complicit" if she sat silent and allowed the proceedings to continue unchallenged.
"As ComEd’s regulator, rate payers are looking to the commission to have effective and transparent oversight over ComEd," said Oliva, who was appointed by former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. "I believe the allegations surrounding the bribery scheme may conflict with Chairman Zalewski’s ability to do her job effectively by adversely affecting the confidence of the public. Holding this hearing, in this manner, is not good for the integrity of the commission while attempting to restore the trust of the rate payers. "
Carrie Zalewski, who is also a lawyer, responded that she took "umbrage" at Oliva’s comments. She did not, however, specifically address her father-in-law’s connection to ComEd or how that relationship could color the public’s perception of the hearing.
"I have not done anything wrong," Carrie Zalewski said to Oliva. "Your actions to suggest otherwise are disingenuous and irresponsible. I perform my duties ethically, honestly and with integrity."
Zalweski did not respond to media questions after the meeting, including whether she has been interviewed or subpoenaed by federal authorities. She hurried out a side door, while an ICC employee who would not give her name said Zalewski had said everything she wanted to say during the hearing and would not be making any more statements.
An ICC spokeswoman has said there is no conflict of interest with Zalewski remaining on the state board. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who appointed her to the commission last year, has said she has his complete confidence.
Her continued role, however, drew criticism from two public speakers at the hearing, both of whom said there could not be true transparency as long as Zalewski ran the proceedings. The commission billed Wednesday’s hearing as the first of several meetings between ComEd and state regulators to discuss ethics reform.
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Posted by Fred 2020-07-31 00:00||
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Posted by Mullah Richard 2020-07-31 12:07||
2020-07-31 12:07||
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