Michael Madigan

Conservative MP Floor Crossings Bring Liberals Close to Majority in Canada

Ontario MP Michael Ma has left the Conservative caucus and joined the Liberals, a decision he stated was made after listening to his constituents. This move, announced on Thursday, brings Prime Minister Mark Carney closer to a majority government, and he introduced Ma at the Liberal holiday party. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Ma’s defection, claiming it contradicted his election promises, while others noted the shift comes weeks after another Conservative MP, Chris d’Entremont, also switched to the government benches. The House of Commons ended its fall sitting, shortly before the leadership review, with Ma’s departure potentially causing a shift in power.

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Longest-Serving US Legislator Sentenced in Corruption Case

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history, received a 7 1/2-year prison sentence and a $2.5 million fine for his conviction on bribery and other charges. The judge cited Madigan’s perjury during his trial as a significant factor in the sentencing, rejecting arguments for leniency based on his age and his wife’s health. Madigan’s conviction stemmed from a four-month trial involving extensive evidence demonstrating a scheme to trade legislation for personal enrichment. The sentence concludes the downward spiral of Madigan’s decades-long career marked by accusations of corruption and abuse of power.

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