Jury at 'Impasse' in AT&T Illinois Ex-President Trial

A federal judge declared a mistrial in the case of former AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza at U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois. The former telecom executive had pleaded not guilty in October 2022 to bribery and racketeering charges, including allegations that he authorized nine $2,500 monthly payments, totaling $22,500, to a close ally of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D). Madigan in return successfully pushed through legislation backed by La Schiazza making it easier for AT&T to terminate its costly carrier of last resort obligation to continue providing landline services to Illinois residents, said the indictment. The trial began earlier this month. But in a Thursday order, Judge Robert Gettleman said the “jury reported they have reached an impasse and cannot reach a unanimous verdict.” Discharging the jury, Gettleman set a court hearing for Tuesday.