More Chicago Corruption

[shred4]

Dem Ill. Gov. Blagojevich arrested on federal charges
By AP STAFF
Associated Press
December 9, 2008
CHICAGO (AP) -- An official says Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (bluh-GOY'-uh-vich) has been arrested in Chicago on corruption charges stemming from the selection of the successor to President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat.
U.S. Attorney's office spokesman Randall Samborn says both Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested Tuesday. Authorities aren't yet releasing details about those charges. However, a federal law enforcement official tells The Associated Press the governor is accused of corruption charges. The official says the charges stem from the selection process of a successor to Obama.
Federal prosecutors have investigated Blagojevich's administration for at least three years. They've been looking at everything from how he hired people for state jobs to the actions of friends and contributors.
The governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

[festeringZit]

The charges also relate to allegations that Blagojevich and Harris schemed with previously convicted defendants and Obama associates Antoin Rezko, Stuart Levine, Ali Ata and others to arrange financial benefits in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state employment, state contracts and access to state funds.

 

[shred4]

By EVAN PEREZ

WASHINGTON -- Federal agents arrested Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and a senior aide on corruption charges, accusing the Democratic governor of trying to sell the Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
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<CITE>Getty Images</CITE> Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich at a press conference on February 15, 2008.

Mr. Blagojevich, 51 years old, and chief of staff John Harris, 46, are each charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery.
According to a 76-page two-count indictment unsealed by prosecutors in Chicago on Tuesday, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents allegedly heard the governor on wiretaps attempting to trade or sell the Senate seat being vacated by Mr. Obama when he becomes president next month.
In exchange for the Illinois seat, federal agents say Mr. Blagojevich is heard seeking a number of arrangements, including a salary for himself at an organization affiliated with labor unions, a cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself, cash or campaign funds, and placing his wife Patti on paid corporate boards.
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• Read the FBI's 76-page affidavit outlining the charges against Gov. Blagojevich.

During a Dec. 4 wiretapped conversation, Mr. Blagojevich allegedly told an adviser he would "get some [money] upfront, maybe" from one candidate for the Senate seat.
In other conversations, FBI agents say the governor, his aide and others tried to use the governor's position to withhold state assistance to the Tribune Co. to induce the firing of a Chicago Tribune editorial board member critical of the governor.
U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement that "the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering."
"They allege that Blagojevich put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States senator," Mr. Fitzgerald said.
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 Mr. Blagojevich.
Political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko who raised money for the campaigns of both Messrs. Blagojevich and Obama is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of fraud and other charges. Mr. Blagojevich's chief fundraiser, Christopher G. Kelly, is due to stand trial early next year on charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service.
Mr. Blagojevich took the chief executive's office in 2003 as a reformer promising to clean up former Gov. George Ryan's mess.
Mr. Ryan, a Republican, is serving a 6-year prison sentence after being convicted on racketeering and fraud charges. A decade-long investigation began with the sale of driver's licenses for bribes and led to the conviction of dozens of people who worked for Mr. Ryan when he was secretary of state and governor.
Mr. Blagojevich has garnered headlines in recent days for publicly supporting furloughed workers who have occupied a Chicago factory after losing their jobs. The governor said the state would cease doing business with Bank of America Corp. until it reinstated financing for the factory owner. The bank has disputed any responsibility for the workers' job losses.
<CITE class=tagline>—The Associated Press contributed to this report.</CITE> Write to Evan Perez at evan.perez@wsj.com
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[SunTzu]

What in the hell is going on in that city? That is the second straight govenor to be arrested, no? Maybe it is time to elect someone based on merit, not based on his affiliations. This is what is wrong (well one of the wrongs) with partisan politics.
Also, Chicago has become the murder capital of the U.S. Wow, lovely city.

 

[BetIt]

Some of these leaked conversations are nuts.

Extortion for that seat?

Marc Ambinder has some good stuff

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/

 

[Willie99]

what's with the hair anyways?