The FBI secretly monitored the communications of Patti Solis Doyle, a former top aide to Hillary Clinton, during a corruption investigation targeting her brother.
The surveillance of Solis Doyle arose during the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, in which her name emerged in testimony related to corruption charges, as the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
In 2014, the Federal Bureau of Investigation gained authorization to record phone calls of Solis Doyle, the ex-manager for Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign. The investigation was primarily focused on her brother, Danny Solis, and his activities within the Chicago City Council. This operation intersected with a broader corruption investigation tied to high-profile figures in Illinois politics.
Ryan McDonald, a special agent with the FBI, provided details during a recent trial, explaining that the wiretapping was not in any way connected to presidential campaigns. Instead, it was linked to ongoing inquiries into the potential misconduct of Danny Solis, who served as a Chicago alderman.
Solis Doyle's communications were eavesdropped on for a period of several months, although the operation reportedly yielded no significant results. Agent McDonald noted during his testimony that the recordings involving Solis Doyle were not considered "fruitful" and did not extend beyond the initial few months.
Simultaneously, the FBI conducted surveillance on Danny Solis's phone for numerous months in 2014 and 2015. This surveillance captured conversations about a controversial $100,000 payment tied to the development of Nobu Hotel in Chicago. These findings added to the complicated web of allegations connected to Solis's role in city government.
While the operation into Solis Doyle concluded quietly, Danny Solis became a cooperating witness in federal investigations by 2016. His cooperation continued until his involvement was brought to public attention through a news report by the Chicago Sun-Times in January 2019.
The investigation is interlinked with a racketeering trial involving former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan and his associate, Michael McClain. Their trial has unearthed various connections to corrupt activities within the city and provided further context to the surveillance of Solis Doyle.
Patti Solis Doyle is well-known for her role at the helm of Hillary Clinton's campaign in 2008, as well as other significant positions within the political sphere. Her political acumen established her as a notable figure in Democratic circles. Beyond politics, Solis Doyle co-founded the Vendor Assistance Program (VAP) in 2010, focusing on aiding vendors owed money by Illinois.
This company, prior to her selling her interest in 2016, profited substantially from the state's late-payment penalties, accumulating nearly $396 million from state taxpayers over a decade. Despite the significant financial dealings of VAP, these aspects have not been implicated in the FBI's investigation.
FBI agent Ryan McDonald's recent disclosure was the first public acknowledgment of the wiretap on Solis Doyle's phone. Despite the sensitive nature of these revelations, Solis Doyle has chosen not to publicly comment, according to a representative.
This development underlines the wide-reaching implications of investigations into Chicago's political landscape, transcending individual political affiliations and campaigns. The exposure of Solis Doyle's wiretap raises questions about the breadth and focus of federal investigations in complex political environments.
The intertwining of Solis's activities with the ongoing Madigan trial illustrates the interconnected nature of these investigations and potential implications for political figures. As the trial of Madigan progresses, more details may emerge regarding the intricate web of alliances and operations within Illinois politics.
