For the feds to receive a judge’s approval to search the homes of Madigan’s friends, the suspicion of illegal activity on someone’s part had to be recent. The feds had to convince a judge the “fruits” or instruments of a recent crime could be found inside the homes of Quinn, McClain and Zalewski. Judges sign off on search warrants for activity that is urgent. They also limit what can be searched — a home office, a basement storage unit, a laptop. The raids evidently were not the stuff of television dramas, of sliced-up couch cushions or overturned tables. The searches were so quiet, word only leaked out weeks after they were over.