AT&T to pay $23M fine for bribing powerful lawmaker’s ally in exchange for vote
Enlarge / AT&T's logo at its corporate headquarters in Dallas, Texas. (credit: Getty Images | Ronald Martinez )
AT&T agreed to pay a $23 million fine "to resolve a federal criminal investigation into alleged misconduct involving the company's efforts to unlawfully influence former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan," a Department of Justice press release said today.
"The investigation of AT&T Illinois is being resolved with a deferred prosecution agreement under which the company admitted it arranged for payments to be made to an ally of Madigan to influence and reward Madigan's efforts to assist AT&T Illinois with respect to legislation sought by the company," the announcement said. AT&T "admitted that in 2017 it arranged for an ally of Madigan to indirectly receive $22,500 in payments from the company."
AT&T "made no effort to ensure any work was performed" in exchange for the payment, the Justice Department said, adding that AT&T acknowledged that the payment was made "in exchange for Madigan's vote and influence over a bill." The bill ended AT&T's obligation to provide landline phone service to all state residents.