Illinois governor arrested for trying to 'sell' Obama's Senate seat

[Guest guest]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081209/world/blagojevich_corruption

_probe

1 hour, 4 minutes ago

By Mike , The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on

charges he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat

left vacant by president-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder in

what a federal prosecutor called a " corruption crime spree. "

U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald told a news conference prosecutors

make " no allegations " Obama was aware of any alleged scheming.

The Democrat also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold

state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in

the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint.

In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members

of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

" We were in the middle of a corruption crime spree and we wanted to

stop it, " Fitzgerald said Tuesday, calling the corruption charges

against Blagojevich " a truly new low. "

Federal investigators bugged the governor's campaign offices and

placed a tap on his home phone and Chicago FBI chief Grant

said even seasoned investigators were " stunned " by what they heard on

the tapes.

Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero said the governor's office did

not have immediate comment on the charges but issued a statement

saying the " allegations do nothing to impact the services, duties or

function of the state. "

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old governor was intercepted

on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell

or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and

his wife, Patti.

Otherwise, Blagojevich considered appointing himself. The affidavit

said that as late as Nov. 3, he told his deputy governor that

if " they're not going to offer me anything of value I might as well

take it. "

" I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you

know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain, " Blagojevich

allegedly said later that day, according to the affidavit, which also

quoted him as saying in a remark punctuated by profanity that the

seat was " a valuable thing - you just don't give it away for

nothing. "

The affidavit said Blagojevich also discussed getting a substantial

salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization

affiliated with labour unions.

It said Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on

corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's

fees.

He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or

possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once

he left the governor's office. He noted becoming a U.S. senator might

remake his image for a possible presidential run in 2016, according

to the affidavit. And he allegedly said a Senate seat would also

provide him with corporate contacts if he needed a job and present an

opportunity for his wife to work as a lobbyist.

" I want to make money, " the affidavit quotes him as saying in one

conversation.

The affidavit said Blagojevich expressed frustration at being " stuck "

as governor and that he would have access to greater resources if he

were indicted while in the U.S. Senate than while sitting as

governor.

Among those being considered for the Senate post: U.S.

Representatives Jr., Danny , Jan Schakowsky and

Gutierrez; Illinois Senate president Emil and Illinois

Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth.

The affidavit outlined a Nov. 10 call between Blagojevich, his wife,

his chief of staff - , who also was arrested Tuesday - and

a group of advisers in which allegedly suggested working out

an agreement with the Service Employees International Union.

Under the plan, Blagojevich would appoint a new senator who would be

helpful to the president-elect and in turn get a job as head of

Change to Win, a group formed by the union. The union would get an

unspecified favour from Obama later.

Nothing in the court papers suggested Obama had any part in the

discussion. In fact, Blagojevich allegedly said in the same

conversation that Obama most likely would not appoint him as

secretary of health and human services or to an ambassadorship

because of the negative publicity that has surrounded the governor

for three years.

One day later, according to the affidavit, Blagojevich allegedly told

an associate he knew Obama wanted a specific Senate candidate

but " they're not going to give me anything except appreciation. " He

finished the remark with an expletive.

Blagojevich also was charged with using his authority as governor in

an attempt to squeeze out campaign contributions.

Corruption in the Blagojevich administration has been the focus of a

federal investigation involving an alleged $7 million scheme aimed at

squeezing kickbacks out of companies seeking business from the state.

Federal prosecutors have acknowledged they're also

investigating " serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud " under

Blagojevich, who has a $177,412 salary, though it's unclear whether

he accepts the total.

The governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Political fundraiser Antoin (Tony) Rezko who raised money for the

campaigns of both Blagojevich and Obama is awaiting sentencing after

being convicted of fraud and other charges. Blagojevich's chief

fundraiser, , is due to stand trial early next year

on charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service.

According to Tuesday's complaint, Blagojevich schemed with Rezko,

millionaire-fundraiser turned federal witness Stuart Levine and

others to get financial benefits for himself and his campaign

committee.

Federal prosecutors said Blagojevich and the chairman of his campaign

committee have been speeding up corrupt fundraising activities in the

last month to get as much money as possible before the end of the

year when a new law would curtail his ability to raise contributions

from companies with state contracts worth more than $50,000.

According to the affidavit, agents learned Blagojevich was seeking

$2.5 million in campaign contributions by the end of the year, with a

large part allegedly to come from companies and individuals who have

gotten state contracts or appointments.

The affidavit also outlines Blagojevich conversations related to

Tribune Co., which has been hoping to sell Wrigley Field, the home of

the Chicago Cubs which the publishing giant also owns.

Blagojevich was quoted in court papers as telling in a

profanity laced Nov. 4 conversation that his recommendation to

Tribune executives was to fire the editorial writers " and get us some

editorial support. "

is quoted as telling the governor Nov. 11 that an unnamed

Tribune Owner, presumably CEO Sam Zell, " got the message and is very

sensitive to the issue. "

The affidavit said quoted a Tribune financial adviser as

saying cuts were coming at the newspaper and " reading between the

lines he's going after that section, " apparently meaning editorial

writers. Blagojevich is quoted as saying: " Oh, that's fantastic. "

" Wow, " Blagojevich allegedly replied. " Keep our fingers crossed.

You're the man. Good job, . "

allegedly told Blagojevich in his conversation with the

financial adviser he had singled out deputy editorial page editor

McCormick as " somebody who was the most biased and unfair. "

After hearing that, Blagojevich allegedly stressed to the head of a

Chicago sports consulting firm that it was important to provide state

aid for a Wrigley Field sale.

Blagojevich took the chief executive's office in 2003 as a reformer

promising to clean up former governor 's mess.

, a Republican, is serving a six-year prison sentence after being

convicted on racketeering and fraud charges. A decade-long

investigation began with the sale of driver's licences for bribes and

led to the conviction of dozens of people who worked for when he

was secretary of state and governor.

FBI spokesman Bochte said federal agents arrested the governor

and simultaneously at their homes at 6:15 a.m. and took them

to the Chicago FBI headquarters.

He did not have any details about Blagojevich's arrest, only that he

was co-operative with federal agents.

" It was a very calm setting, " he said.

The governor was to appear Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan

Nolan to answer the charges.

[Guest guest]

This governor, a Democrat, was elected twice despite being under a federal probe for corruption. Just goes to show you the sorts of people Democrats are proud and enthusiastic about.

I spoke about what sort of fellow he was months ago about his connections with Obama, and also years ago when he was elected to his second term.

No one listened of course, because we all know I am a right-winged Republican who doesn't know anything.

As you will see, he has pressured the media to skew bias in his favor, as is typical with his cronies.

"The Democrat also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired."

Let's remember that Illinois has the biggest state debt in its history and the most corruption ever seen in its history. And Obama, as state senator, did nothing to stop it.

Perhaps most significant is what Federal wiretaps uncovered: "He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office."

<snip>

"One day later, according to the affidavit, Blagojevich allegedly told an associate he knew Obama wanted a specific Senate candidate but "they're not going to give me anything except appreciation." He finished the remark with an expletive."

This would suggest that Obama was approached by the governor for a bribe but did not reveal that fact to anyone.

Hmmm...

"Political fundraiser Antoin (Tony) Rezko who raised money for the campaigns of both Blagojevich and Obama is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of fraud and other charges."

I sincerely hope all you saps who live in Illinois and voted for Blagojevich and all you folks nationwide who voted for Obama are really really pleased with yourselves.

Administrator

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081209/world/blagojevich_corruption_probe1 hour, 4 minutes agoBy Mike , The Associated PressCHICAGO - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by president-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder in what a federal prosecutor called a "corruption crime spree."U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald told a news conference prosecutors make "no allegations" Obama was aware of any alleged scheming.The Democrat also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired."We were in the middle of a corruption crime spree and we wanted to stop it," Fitzgerald said Tuesday, calling the corruption charges against Blagojevich "a truly new low."Federal investigators bugged the governor's campaign offices and placed a tap on his home phone and Chicago FBI chief Grant said even seasoned investigators were "stunned" by what they heard on the tapes.Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero said the governor's office did not have immediate comment on the charges but issued a statement saying the "allegations do nothing to impact the services, duties or function of the state."A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.Otherwise, Blagojevich considered appointing himself. The affidavit said that as late as Nov. 3, he told his deputy governor that if "they're not going to offer me anything of value I might as well take it.""I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain," Blagojevich allegedly said later that day, according to the affidavit, which also quoted him as saying in a remark punctuated by profanity that the seat was "a valuable thing - you just don't give it away for nothing."The affidavit said Blagojevich also discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labour unions.It said Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office. He noted becoming a U.S. senator might remake his image for a possible presidential run in 2016, according to the affidavit. And he allegedly said a Senate seat would also provide him with corporate contacts if he needed a job and present an opportunity for his wife to work as a lobbyist."I want to make money," the affidavit quotes him as saying in one conversation.The affidavit said Blagojevich expressed frustration at being "stuck" as governor and that he would have access to greater resources if he were indicted while in the U.S. Senate than while sitting as governor.Among those being considered for the Senate post: U.S. Representatives Jr., Danny , Jan Schakowsky and Gutierrez; Illinois Senate president Emil and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth.The affidavit outlined a Nov. 10 call between Blagojevich, his wife, his chief of staff - , who also was arrested Tuesday - and a group of advisers in which allegedly suggested working out an agreement with the Service Employees International Union.Under the plan, Blagojevich would appoint a new senator who would be helpful to the president-elect and in turn get a job as head of Change to Win, a group formed by the union. The union would get an unspecified favour from Obama later.Nothing in the court papers suggested Obama had any part in the discussion. In fact, Blagojevich allegedly said in the same conversation that Obama most likely would not appoint him as secretary of health and human services or to an ambassadorship because of the negative publicity that has surrounded the governor for three years.One day later, according to the affidavit, Blagojevich allegedly told an associate he knew Obama wanted a specific Senate candidate but "they're not going to give me anything except appreciation." He finished the remark with an expletive.Blagojevich also was charged with using his authority as governor in an attempt to squeeze out campaign contributions.Corruption in the Blagojevich administration has been the focus of a federal investigation involving an alleged $7 million scheme aimed at squeezing kickbacks out of companies seeking business from the state. Federal prosecutors have acknowledged they're also investigating "serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" under Blagojevich, who has a $177,412 salary, though it's unclear whether he accepts the total.The governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.Political fundraiser Antoin (Tony) Rezko who raised money for the campaigns of both Blagojevich and Obama is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of fraud and other charges. Blagojevich's chief fundraiser, , is due to stand trial early next yearon charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service.According to Tuesday's complaint, Blagojevich schemed with Rezko, millionaire-fundraiser turned federal witness Stuart Levine and others to get financial benefits for himself and his campaign committee.Federal prosecutors said Blagojevich and the chairman of his campaign committee have been speeding up corrupt fundraising activities in the last month to get as much money as possible before the end of the year when a new law would curtail his ability to raise contributionsfrom companies with state contracts worth more than $50,000.According to the affidavit, agents learned Blagojevich was seeking $2.5 million in campaign contributions by the end of the year, with a large part allegedly to come from companies and individuals who have gotten state contracts or appointments.The affidavit also outlines Blagojevich conversations related to Tribune Co., which has been hoping to sell Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs which the publishing giant also owns.Blagojevich was quoted in court papers as telling in a profanity laced Nov. 4 conversation that his recommendation to Tribune executives was to fire the editorial writers "and get us some editorial support." is quoted as telling the governor Nov. 11 that an unnamed Tribune Owner, presumably CEO Sam Zell, "got the message and is very sensitive to the issue."The affidavit said quoted a Tribune financial adviser as saying cuts were coming at the newspaper and "reading between the lines he's going after that section," apparently meaning editorial writers. Blagojevich is quoted as saying: "Oh, that's fantastic.""Wow," Blagojevich allegedly replied. "Keep our fingers crossed. You're the man. Good job, ." allegedly told Blagojevich in his conversation with the financial adviser he had singled out deputy editorial page editor McCormick as "somebody who was the most biased and unfair."After hearing that, Blagojevich allegedly stressed to the head of a Chicago sports consulting firm that it was important to provide state aid for a Wrigley Field sale.Blagojevich took the chief executive's office in 2003 as a reformer promising to clean up former governor 's mess., a Republican, is serving a six-year prison sentence after being convicted on racketeering and fraud charges. A decade-long investigation began with the sale of driver's licences for bribes and led to the conviction of dozens of people who worked for when he was secretary of state and governor.FBI spokesman Bochte said federal agents arrested the governor and simultaneously at their homes at 6:15 a.m. and took them to the Chicago FBI headquarters.He did not have any details about Blagojevich's arrest, only that he was co-operative with federal agents."It was a very calm setting," he said.The governor was to appear Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan to answer the charges.

[Guest guest]

P.S. The Illinois governor if pressed, will probably sell out anyone

with whom he was illegally involved with to save his own skin. Let's

hope he does. Although if it comes to that, and if Biden winds up as

President, that would be even more scary.

Administrator