Commonwealth Edison controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2023
ComEd Four convictions
Former ComEd chief executive Anne Pramaggiore, former lobbyist Mike McClain, retired executive John Hooker and former consultant Jay Doherty were convicted on bribery conspiracy, bribery and falsification-related charges. Prosecutors alleged that the group sought to influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan through jobs, contracts and other benefits.
2021
Citizens Utility Board sues ComEd over alleged bribery scheme
Lawsuit filed
The Citizens Utility Board filed a federal lawsuit accusing Commonwealth Edison of unjust enrichment and betraying customers through an alleged bribery scheme to influence legislation. ComEd had admitted facts of the bribery scheme in a deferred prosecution agreement; a spokesperson said that admission did not mean consumers were harmed by the legislation.
Stated objective. The suit seeks millions in restitution from the utility to be paid directly to customers allegedly harmed by its scheme.
Company response
Clarification — ComEd
In an emailed statement, a ComEd spokesman said Wednesday that while the conduct admitted in the bribery case cannot be excused, it “does not mean that consumers were harmed by the legislation that was passed in Illinois,”
Source excerpt
ComEd admitted to the facts of the bribery scheme in a deferred prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in July, agreeing to pay a record $200 million fine and cooperate with the ongoing probe in exchange for bribery charges being dropped after three years.
The Citizens Utility Board watchdog group has filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing Commonwealth Edison of “unjust enrichment” and betraying its customers by orchestrating a bribery scheme to influence House Speaker Michael Madigan and pass legislation the utility wanted in Springfield.
The 13-page complaint, filed late Tuesday as part of an ongoing proposed class action suit against ComEd, seeks millions in restitution from the utility giant to be paid directly to customers allegedly harmed by its decadelong scheme.
2020
Federal political-influence and contract investigation
ComEd agreed to pay $200 million after a federal investigation into alleged illegal lobbying, political graft and favorable contracts involving political allies. The matter concerned efforts to influence Illinois political decision-making while the company pursued favorable treatment for its regulated utility business.