Illinois Governor Arrested on Corruption Charges [Archive]

ucfgrad93

Dec 9, 2008, 11:06 AM

llinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on federal charges that accuse him of trying to benefit from his ability to appoint President-elect Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate.

A 76-page FBI affidavit says the 51-year-old Democrat 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.

The affidavit contends Blagojevich discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions. It also says Blagojevich talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

Wow, it will be interesting to see how this all works out.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28139155/?GT1=43001

robanga

Dec 9, 2008, 11:20 AM

It is stating the obvious, but wow what a dirty business politics is. I really wonder how people can sleep at night, no matter how expensive their sheets are.

leekohler

Dec 9, 2008, 11:22 AM

I was going to post this earlier, but the forums were down. Thank god they finally nailed this guy! He's quite possibly the worst governor we've ever had. Here's hoping there's a nice, long jail sentence involved.

PlaceofDis

Dec 9, 2008, 11:28 AM

good riddance. i cant stand the guy.

kavika411

Dec 9, 2008, 11:29 AM

Since May (off the top of my head):

Spitzer
Detroit mayor
Illinois governor
last week - our (Birmingham - largest city in Alabama) mayor was arrested by the feds on a 101 count indictment

Crazy.

leekohler

Dec 9, 2008, 11:30 AM

Blagojevich has had this coming almost since the day he took office. The guy's an a**. I can't believe it took this long. Now, if they could just get Daley too.

Peace

Dec 9, 2008, 11:31 AM

You know the right wing wackos are going to somehow connect this to Obama.

leekohler

Dec 9, 2008, 11:32 AM

You know the right wing wackos are going to somehow connect this to Obama.

Well- that's a given, even though it really has very little to do with him.

Peace

Dec 9, 2008, 11:36 AM

Well- that's a given, even though it really has very little to do with him.

Actually Obama may have had something to do with this :

"The FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich also sought promises of campaign cash, as well as a cabinet post or ambassadorship in exchange for his Senate choice."

Perhaps the transition team caught wind of him trying to get a position with the Obama team and snitched on him.

themoonisdown09

Dec 9, 2008, 11:39 AM

You know the right wing wackos are going to somehow connect this to Obama.

Because Obama put him up to all of this! Come on, you should know that.

Actually, I haven't heard of the guy before. Of course, I live more down south.

PlaceofDis

Dec 9, 2008, 11:40 AM

Blagojevich has had this coming almost since the day he took office. The guy's an a**. I can't believe it took this long. Now, if they could just get Daley too.

i would love to see them get Daley, but scared at the same time. he is so entrenched in chicago politics it'd be a bit crazy once he was gone. but probably for the best. but hes been doing this longer than rob and he learned from his dad, didn't he?

robanga

Dec 9, 2008, 11:48 AM

You know the right wing wackos are going to somehow connect this to Obama.

If the right wing whackos are going to do that, what are the left wing whackos going to do in response? It will be a whacko fun fest. ;)

abijnk

Dec 9, 2008, 11:53 AM

Maybe someone who is older than me can help me out here because I sure don't remember the last time we had a governor in Illinois who wasn't investigated for something...

robanga

Dec 9, 2008, 11:56 AM

Maybe someone who is older than me can help me out here because I sure don't remember the last time we had a governor in Illinois who wasn't investigated for something...

The strange thing about it all is, these folks are relatively intelligent people that have spent their careers in politics, the chance of not getting caught at something like this must be relatively high if Governor's risk this sort of thing. How much of this goes on that never gets rooted out one wonders?

rdowns

Dec 9, 2008, 11:59 AM

This guy was so brazen. WTF is wrong with these people?

According to the statement, Blagojevich is alleged to have discussed obtaining:

a substantial salary for himself at either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions

a spot for his wife on paid corporate boards, where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year.

promises of campaign funds -- including cash up front.

a Cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.

Blagojevich, Harris and others are also alleged to have withheld state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field. The statement says this was done to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members who were critical of Blagojevich.

abijnk

Dec 9, 2008, 11:59 AM

The strange thing about it all is, these folks are relatively intelligent people that have spent their careers in politics, the chance of not getting caught at something like this must be relatively high if Governor's risk this sort of thing. How much of this goes on that never gets rooted out one wonders?

Tons of it, I have no doubt.

Blowjobovich (as he is affectionately known in my house) has had this coming for a looooooong time, though. He hasn't really tried not to get caught.

Unspeaked

Dec 9, 2008, 12:18 PM

What I'm wondering is if he'll be made an example of or just walk away with a slap on the wrist...

Thomas Veil

Dec 9, 2008, 12:29 PM

He's facing some hefty jail time; he better not walk away with a slap on the wrist.

Like abiyng, I think this guy's had it coming to him for a long time. His arrogance is well-known, so much so that even his own party can't stand him. Good riddance, I say.

abijnk

Dec 9, 2008, 12:55 PM

For anybody who might be interested here is the complaint in PDF.

Link (http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/09/complaint.pdf)

mrtune

Dec 9, 2008, 01:24 PM

This guy has been under investigation for quite some time. We must have some of the crappiest voters on the planet here.

He is serving his second term. Apparently no one care that the feds were looking into him for being a corrupt bastard, and voted him in a second time.

Daley is another one. He needs to go too. The city of Chicago taxes us on everything! Even water! I believe we also have the highest sales tax in the nation (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

For the first time, I'm embarrassed of the state I live in. It's continually run by a bunch of looneys. How they keep getting voted in, I'll never know.

abijnk

Dec 9, 2008, 01:57 PM

So I just finished reading (most) of the complaint, and one good thing is that Obama seems to have kept his nose out of it.

For those of you just tuning in, Blagojevich was seeking personal gain not just from those interested in the vacant senate seat, but from the president-elect himself in return for appointing who Obama thought was best.

Beric

Dec 9, 2008, 02:05 PM

Amazing! The article actually put his (non-Republican) party affiliation down. And I thought Republicans were the only politicians who were corrupt!

Peterkro

Dec 9, 2008, 02:06 PM

Amazing! The article actually put his (non-Republican) party affiliation down. And I thought Republicans were the only politicians who were corrupt!

I think you'll find all politicians are to some extent corrupt.

Beric

Dec 9, 2008, 02:07 PM

I think you'll find all politicians are to some extent corrupt.

My point exactly.

Unspeaked

Dec 9, 2008, 02:27 PM

I think you'll find all politicians are to some extent corrupt.

Not the ones who love Jesus.

Or, wait, I think I have that backwards...

iJohnHenry

Dec 9, 2008, 02:35 PM

He's a lawyer, for God's sake.

It's what they do!!!!

leekohler

Dec 9, 2008, 02:43 PM

Amazing! The article actually put his (non-Republican) party affiliation down. And I thought Republicans were the only politicians who were corrupt!

It's your own bias that keeps you from seeing otherwise in these forums. FYI- I voted for Judy Barr Topinka, the REPUBLICAN candidate who ran against Blagojevich in the last election. I know you probably just choked on your coffee, but some of us actually vote for the best candidates, not just our "side".

Most of us in the city have been wanting to get rid of Daley as well, another Democrat. Unfortunately, the Republican Party is so pathetic in this state, there aren't many options.

abijnk

Dec 9, 2008, 02:56 PM

It's your own bias that keeps you from seeing otherwise in these forums. FYI- I voted for Judy Barr Topinka, the REPUBLICAN candidate who ran against Blagojevich in the last election. I know you probably just choked on your coffee, but some of us actually vote for the best candidates, not just our "side".

Most of us in the city have been wanting to get rid of Daley as well, another Democrat. Unfortunately, the Republican Party is so pathetic in this state, there aren't many options.

I wanted Posherd when he ran. Wasn't old enough to vote though...

patrick0brien

Dec 9, 2008, 03:25 PM

I think a very key difference between the corruption of Rod "Blago" Blagojevich, and Richard "King" Daley is that Daley uses his nepotism for the city of Chicago, he actually cares very much for the city, whereas Rod used his nepotism purely for selfish reasons.

Oh, and Rod is just not that good at it.

I find this whole thing rather hilarious.

gkarris

Dec 9, 2008, 03:50 PM

... and I think today is the day that Ryan goes to jail to start serving is jailterm....

LOL....

Chicago politics - vote early, vote often... :eek:

leekohler

Dec 9, 2008, 04:05 PM

... and I think today is the day that Ryan goes to jail to start serving is jailterm....

LOL....

Chicago politics - vote early, vote often... :eek:

Yep- our political system is definitely screwy, but I love this damn city. There's nothing like it in the US.

Oh and I must say this: Thank you Patrick Fitzgerald! Can you please go after King Daley and Prince Stroger now?

rdowns

Dec 9, 2008, 04:52 PM

Auction was closed. Damn, I had the wining bid in.

Prof.

Dec 9, 2008, 05:19 PM

My dad is somewhere covering this story with NBC.

When I was told Blagojevich was arrested, i was like this: :confused::eek::D

bradl

Dec 9, 2008, 05:24 PM

iJohnHenry

Dec 9, 2008, 05:34 PM

The BBC news just aired a bon-bon, about him getting some funding for a children's hospital, with the caveat the the director would channel $50K to his political fund.

When it was not forthcoming, after the funding, he was heard on wire-taps inquiring if the funding could be reversed.

This is about a low as anyone can get, even for a lawyer/politician.

IJ Reilly

Dec 9, 2008, 06:13 PM

Meigs Field.

Which was a fiasco -- or was that your point?

Dont Hurt Me

Dec 9, 2008, 06:15 PM

The point is he's really a Republican disguised as a Democrat! he was trying to sell the seat for christ's sake!

PlaceofDis

Dec 9, 2008, 06:44 PM

... and I think today is the day that Ryan goes to jail to start serving is jailterm....

LOL....

Chicago politics - vote early, vote often... :eek:

'cept there is more to Illinois than just Chicago.

Meigs Field.

I rest my case.

BL.

and thats what started me on my dislike for Daley.

synth3tik

Dec 9, 2008, 06:47 PM

It seems like this type of thing could happen all the time. It's seems like it would actually be hard to get caught, as long as your not stupid and conduct business over the phone.

bradl

Dec 9, 2008, 07:13 PM

Which was a fiasco -- or was that your point?

King Daley destroyed it, against FAA orders, Government's orders, the people's wishes, without notice, overnight, leaving those people who had planes parked there...

... to turn it into a park for his wife.

Nepotism for the city? or for himself...

BL.

mkrishnan

Dec 9, 2008, 08:14 PM

Perhaps the transition team caught wind of him trying to get a position with the Obama team and snitched on him.

One of the other leaked snippets is that either solicited Obama's pick for the seat and/or was not approached by the person with a bribe offer and was quite angry with them for it. He said, "They’re not willing to give me anything but appreciation. [Expletive] them." (source (http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/12/09/highlights-of-the-blagojevich-corruption-charges/))

I know I'm a liberal saying it, but it's pretty likely the Obama team wasn't strongly connected, simply because Obama, like many other Chicago Democrats, already had strained ties to Blagojevich. I don't think anyone expected him to take Obama's recommendation seriously.

Anyway, I heard it break on NPR just after 8AM on my way to Indiana.

My immediate reaction: "Good riddance to bad rubbish."

(Many) Democrats in the state did make a mistake in supporting him in 2006 (I didn't yet live here). We've learned now....

yg17

Dec 9, 2008, 08:26 PM

One of the other leaked snippets is that either solicited Obama's pick for the seat and/or was not approached by the person with a bribe offer and was quite angry with them for it. He said, "They’re not willing to give me anything but appreciation. [Expletive] them." (source (http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/12/09/highlights-of-the-blagojevich-corruption-charges/))

I know I'm a liberal saying it, but it's pretty likely the Obama team wasn't strongly connected, simply because Obama, like many other Chicago Democrats, already had strained ties to Blagojevich. I don't think anyone expected him to take Obama's recommendation seriously.

Anyway, I heard it break on NPR just after 8AM on my way to Indiana.

My immediate reaction: "Good riddance to bad rubbish."

(Many) Democrats in the state did make a mistake in supporting him in 2006 (I didn't yet live here). We've learned now....

I hear the republican running in 2006 wasn't much better ;)

I don't think Obama had anything to do with this. Of course, I'm biased, but it sounds like Obama, Emanuel and Durbin were never really on speaking terms with Blago to begin with.

rdowns

Dec 9, 2008, 08:30 PM

I read earlier that the Obama team barres him from speaking at the Dem convention and that Rahm Emanuel may have been the one who ratted him out. Too lazy to look for the link.

Desertrat

Dec 9, 2008, 09:42 PM

A long-time LEO from Illinois, a moderator at another website, had this comment about the deal:

"It's great that how things are done in Illinois are finally coming out. This is not an isolated incident. This is how business is conducted in Illinois. Every other state job is sold, I don't see why people are shocked that a US Senate seat has a price. Both parties are equally guilty. It's the Illinois way. The four crime families that run the state (did I say crime..I must have been watching the Sopranos too much, I mean political ) divide up everything and party lines mean nothing. During the Rezko investigation the big players on the democratic side were paying Andy McKenna, chairman of the state republican party, to get the Bush administration to move Fitzgerald."

Crossed fingers that there's nothing tying Obama to any of this. The last thing we need in this country is that sort of brouhaha, what with all this economic mess. I halfway worry that when some insider starts talking in order to cut a deal, he'll go to dragging in big names to make it all look better for him.

'Rat

abijnk

Dec 9, 2008, 09:49 PM

From a life-long Southern Illinoisian, it's not "Chicago-style politics," it is indeed "Illinois-style" politics. Our politicians down here are just as bad, the only difference is that you are screwing the people you went to kindergarten with and see at the grocery store. Same bull, different dynamic.

jaw04005

Dec 9, 2008, 10:34 PM

They just said on CNN that an Obama Transition Team member initially contacted the Illinois Governor to inquire about appointing Obama's friend Valerie Jarrett to his Senate seat. Apparently, the Gov. demanded something in return and Jarrett cut off communication. So in that respect, good for her.

Days later, Jarrett was named as future Sr. White House Adviser.

IJ Reilly

Dec 10, 2008, 12:31 AM

King Daley destroyed it, against FAA orders, Government's orders, the people's wishes, without notice, overnight, leaving those people who had planes parked there...

... to turn it into a park for his wife.

Nepotism for the city? or for himself...

BL.

Right, I know what happened at Meigs Field. Just wondering if that's what you meant.

cycocelica

Dec 10, 2008, 03:03 AM

I am so glad they compared him to Gary Hart. And if it is true (all people are innocent until proven guilty), then people, mainly political figures, could learn a lot from these two people.

Counterfit

Dec 11, 2008, 12:53 AM

Damn, Buddy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Cianci) has nothing on these guys!

mactastic

Dec 11, 2008, 03:59 PM

Bye bye Blago... Hope you enjoy the prison cell you'll be inhabiting! Let us know how Mr. Ryan is doing, ok? Maybe you'll be lucky and get to say hi to Bob Ney...

I have no idea how much truth there is to this, but I heard someone speculating that the rumor is that Daley initially supported Obama for the US Senate in order to get him out of Chi-town because he wasn't playing ball with them, but he was too popular to easily subvert. If that's true in any way, boy did that backfire on them.

MacNut

Dec 11, 2008, 04:05 PM

Anyone with hair this bad is bad news.
http://tomroeser.com/blog/img/f24534/blagojevich.jpg

It is worse than The Donalds hair

leekohler

Dec 11, 2008, 04:18 PM

IJ Reilly

Dec 11, 2008, 04:26 PM

Anyone with hair this bad is bad news.

Jon Stewart made a joke about that. Something about it hiding what he had tattooed on his forehead.

MacNut

Dec 11, 2008, 04:31 PM

Jon Stewart made a joke about that. Something about it hiding what he had tattooed on his forehead.I remember seeing him on TV last week before the scandal broke and thinking dude cut the hair.

Either that or play for Notre Dame.
http://users.wfu.edu/outtjp7/RUDY.jpeg

Thomas Veil

Dec 13, 2008, 07:27 AM

Keith Olbermann had a great name for this scandal the other night: G-bay. :D

Anyone with hair this bad is bad news.
http://tomroeser.com/blog/img/f24534/blagojevich.jpg

It is worse than The Donalds hairAhem! Anybody remember James Traficant? :p

http://www.monstersfromtheid.com/images2/traficant.jpg

mactastic

Dec 17, 2008, 06:23 PM

And of course one of the many ironies of this case is that conservatives and Obama-haters in general currently think Patrick Fitzgerald is such an awesome prosecutor that he's got Blago dead-to-rights, and that Blago's so guilty it's just a question of whether that guilt splashes over onto Obama.

Of course, many of those same folks were singing a different tune when Fitzgerald had his sights set on Libby and Cheney. Then we were told the prosecution was politically motivated and the charges were overhyped.

One wonders what changed -- besides the -R after the name of the person accused, of course...

leekohler

Dec 17, 2008, 06:24 PM