SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan said Wednesday that he was unaware of an apparently unreported rape in central Illinois that is referenced in a 2012 email written to the governor’s office by a close friend and powerful lobbyist.

The Chicago Democrat, who is not referenced in the email or mentioned in connection with the alleged incident, in a statement asked for cooperation from anyone with information about the alleged sexual assault in Champaign.

A 2012 email from lobbyist Michael McClain mentions the incident, WBEZ Radio reported. The email to then-Gov. Pat Quinn’s office seeks leniency for a state worker facing disciplinary action because “he kept his mouth shut … on the rape in Champaign.”