Mike Madigan's ex-Chief of Staff Tim Mapes sentenced in Chicago

CHICAGO - Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's ex-chief of staff has been sentenced after he was convicted of lying to protect his boss.

Madigan's long-time right-hand man Tim Mapes faced a federal judge in Chicago on Monday, where he learned he would spend the next two and a half years in prison — about half of what prosecutors had asked for after they said he chose loyalty to his former boss over the truth when testifying before the grand jury.

Mapes, who was forced to resign in 2018 after being accused of sexual harassment by a clerk inside Madigan's office, was granted immunity when questioned before the grand jury about Madigan's business dealings. Prosecutors say Mapes was warned on several occasions that lying under oath held serious consequences.

At the Mapes trial, prosecutors told jurors he specifically lied when he said he couldn’t recall any relevant details about Madigan’s ties to Michael McClain, who was a Madigan confidant.

Defense lawyer Katie Hill told jurors Mapes never intentionally misled the grand jury, saying he simply couldn’t remember many details. She likened the questions Mapes was asked to a pop quiz at a high school reunion and asked jurors if they would be able to remember the color of their prom corsages or who was class president their junior year.

U.S. District Judge John Kness told the court he didn't understand why someone who had an immunity deal with the government would lie.

Mapes is set to begin serving his sentence in June. As for Madigan, his corruption trial – alongside McClain – begins October 8.