Evidence seen and heard by the jury

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Tim Mapes, former chief of staff to ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, was captured on dozens of undercover FBI recordings talking about his family, political fundraising and his ouster in a 2018 sexual harassment scandal.

The conversations shed new light on the behind-the-scenes maneuvering and relationships among key members of Madigan’s inner circle as a series of scandals began to threaten the Democratic speaker’s decadeslong grip on power.

Prosecutors at Mapes’ ongoing perjury trial intend to play multiple recordings.

As evidence is introduced, it will be shared below throughout the trial. Check back daily for the latest. Read the latest reporting on the trial here.

A transcript of proceedings before Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer on March 31, 2021. This was submitted into evidence on Aug. 14, 2023.

The following email exchange between Tim Mapes and Michael McClain on Dec. 5, 2019 was submitted into evidence by prosecutors on Aug. 14, 2023.

The following email exchange between Tim Mapes and Michael McClain on July 14, 2019 was submitted into evidence by prosecutors on Aug. 14, 2023.

The following email exchange between Tim Mapes and Michael McClain on July 16, 2019 was submitted into evidence by prosecutors on Aug. 14, 2023.

The following phone call between Michael McClain and Tim Mapes was recorded on May 16, 2018. It was submitted into evidence by prosecutors on Aug. 14, 2023.

Listen to the audio

Michael McClain, a longtime lobbyist, was often seated on a bench outside then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s offices, Rep. Bob Rita testified on Thursday.

Jurors were shown the below Tribune photo of McClain holding court from the bench facing the Capitol rotunda as he looked up at three other lobbyists standing nearby.

Lobbyist Mike McClain, seated, talks outside House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office on the last day of the Illinois General Assembly at the State Capitol in Springfield on May 31, 2016. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Jurors on Aug. 10 heard the first of many recordings of wiretapped phone conversations.

Prosecutors played audio of a May 2018 conversation between Rita and McClain discussing gambling legislation.

“What’s our next move?” Rita asked McClain, kicking off a casual conversation. Twice, McClain tells Rita he will have to check with Mapes on how to go forward.

Listen to the audio

Prosecutors also introduced into evidence the layout of the Capitol showing the physical proximity of Madigan, Mapes and McClain’s offices.