Dozens of supporters are vouching for the last co-conspirator awaiting sentencing in the ComEd bribery case that took down one-time Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. A prominent member of the Kennedy family, advocates for the disabled, the daughter of a former Chicago mayor and a former Chicago Sun-Times editor-in-chief and publisher are among the roughly 80 backers to petition a federal judge on behalf of political consultant Jay Doherty. Doherty is one of four former ComEd lobbyists or executives convicted in 2023 on multiple felony counts of falsifying business records and conspiracy for their roles in a scheme to illegally influence Madigan to back company legislation in Springfield. Doherty’s role in the scheme centered on his consulting company’s hiring of four of Madigan’s best political workers in sham, ghost-subcontracting roles. Doherty acted as a go-between, taking hundreds of thousands of utility dollars and funneling that money to Madigan’s operatives as a goodwill gesture to the powerful former House speaker. Prosecutors want 15 months of prison time for Doherty, who is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 5. The longest any of his convicted colleagues have received so far is 24 months in prison. Late Thursday, Doherty’s lawyers tendered the letters of support to federal Judge Manish Shah in an effort to spare their client from prison time. Among those writing in support was long-time Doherty friend Christopher Kennedy, a nephew to slain President John F. Kennedy and an unsuccessful 2018 Democratic Illinois gubernatorial candidate. Kennedy said his friend has “exceptional character and strong ties to his community,” citing his support for Special Olympics and his role as president of the public-affairs forum, City Club of Chicago, where governors, business executives and even Donald Trump were keynote speakers. “Chicago at its best is a meritocracy,” Kennedy wrote. “It is a place where success comes from hard work and not from inherited stature, and it is a place where your social status is defined not by what you have taken from a city but from what you have given back to the community. “I can think of no better example of what it means to represent these ideals than Jay Doherty,” Kennedy said. Another letter writer on behalf of Doherty was John F. Harris, one-time chief of staff for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Harris was arrested and charged along with Blagojevich and later cooperated in the government’s prosecution of the impeached ex-governor. Harris pleaded guilty to a single felony charge that netted him a 10-day prison sentence. “Jay was and remains a friend; and, he had my ear,” Harris wrote. “Never in all of those years, did I ever feel Jay try to use our close personal relationship to seek any special favor or consideration involving my government positions to benefit himself or others.” Some letters were penned months ago by writers who have since died. One came from the late Sister Rosemary Connelly, former executive director of Misericordia Heart of Mercy, a North Side home for those with intellectual or development disabilities. Doherty’s daughter has been a long-time resident of the facility, and Connelly described Doherty as “among Misericordia’s many blessings,” in part, for his fundraising for the home. “Misericordia is a better place because of Jay Doherty,” she wrote. “We are honored and privileged to say that Jay has walked this journey with us for many years, and we have indeed been blessed with his friendship and generous support.” Kathy Byrne, the daughter of the late Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne, wrote about her friendship with Doherty that dated back to 1980. Kathy Byrne died last year. “For the almost 40 years that I have known him, Jay has been a loyal friend, a sincere champion of others and an asset to the quality of life in Chicago,” she wrote. A former editor and publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times also submitted a letter to the court on Doherty’s behalf. John Barron described Doherty as “the most loyal friend I know,” noting his presence at wakes and funerals, his willingness to fundraise for “great causes” and the help he provided to a daughter looking for work. “Jay Doherty is an essential, meaningful and helpful friend and ally across a huge swath of Chicago,” Barron wrote. And the Rev. Michael L. Pfleger, pastor at Faith Community of St. Sabina Church, called Doherty “honest and forthright.” “I have never witnessed any conduct or behavior that caused any concern or worry,” Pfleger wrote. “He has, in fact, reached out often to get a feel for issues in Chicago and what can be done about them. I have always witnessed him as friendly and trustworthy and above board in our dealings.” Dave McKinney covers Illinois government and politics for WBEZ and is a former longtime Springfield bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times.