Former ComEd Executives Argue for Overturned Convictions

Lawyers cite Supreme Court decision in high-profile corruption case

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:23pm

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An extreme close-up of a shredded financial document reflecting a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the legal complexities of a major corruption case.The overturning of convictions in the high-profile 'ComEd Four' corruption case exposes the shifting legal landscape for white-collar crime prosecutions.Chicago Today

Seasoned litigator Paul Clement argued before the Seventh Circuit on behalf of former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and other ex-utility executives, known as the 'ComEd Four', that their convictions should be overturned in light of a recent Supreme Court decision that dealt a 'fatal blow' to the case.

Why it matters

The 'ComEd Four' case was a high-profile corruption investigation involving allegations of bribery and fraud at the utility company. The potential overturning of these convictions would signal significant changes in the legal landscape for white-collar crime prosecutions, with implications for future cases.

The details

A Chicago federal judge last year threw out the 18 USC § 666 bribery convictions against Pramaggiore and her co-defendants following the Supreme Court's decision in Snyder v. United States. Without those convictions, the remaining conspiracy and books-and-records charges under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act are also expected to be dismissed.

  • The Seventh Circuit heard arguments in the case on April 14, 2026.
  • A Chicago federal judge overturned the 18 USC § 666 bribery convictions last year.

The players

Paul Clement

A seasoned litigator who argued on behalf of former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and other ex-utility executives.

Anne Pramaggiore

The former CEO of ComEd who was convicted as part of the 'ComEd Four' corruption case.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody acknowledges that the 666 counts were the dog and the books-and-records counts ...”

— Paul Clement, Litigator

What’s next

The Seventh Circuit is expected to rule on whether to overturn the remaining convictions against the 'ComEd Four' in the coming months.

The takeaway

This case highlights the evolving legal landscape for white-collar crime prosecutions, with the Supreme Court's recent decision in Snyder v. United States significantly impacting high-profile corruption cases like this one.