(CHICAGO) A man who unsuccessfully challenged Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in the Democratic primary has filed a lawsuit accusing the longtime political powerbroker of fraud and seeking to “win at all costs.”
Jason Gonzales of Chicago says Madigan falsely called him a “convicted felon” in campaign ads. He also says Madigan ran two “phony” candidates with Hispanic last names to dilute the votes of Hispanic residents in their 22nd House district race.
Gonzales said Monday “this stuff has got to stop.”
Gonzales was convicted of theft and other crimes as a teenager. He received a pardon and his criminal record was expunged in 2015.
Madigan says Gonzales “cannot be trusted and his lawsuit is without merit.”
Madigan won the March primary with 65 percent. Gonzales won 27 percent.
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