Illinois governor Milorad “Rod” Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested Tuesday on federal corruption charges, for allegedly attempting to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat, and trying to have Chicago Tribune editorial board members fired.
“The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering,” said U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald in a statement. “They allege that Blagojevich put a ‘for sale’ sign on the naming of a United States Senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism. The citizens of Illinois deserve public officials who act solely in the public’s interest, without putting a price tag on government appointments, contracts and decisions.”
The criminal complaint alleges that Blagojevich and Harris set up “pay to play” schemes “to obtain and attempt to obtain financial benefits for himself, his family and third parties, including his campaign committee, Friends of Blagojevich, in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state employment, state contracts and access to state funds.”
One of the appointments up for sale, according to the complaint, was Obama’s vacant Senate seat, which he resigned after winning the presidential election. According to a wiretap, Blagojevich said that if the Senate seat “is a [expletive] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.” The complaint alleges that at various times Blagojevich discussed
Blagojevich also threatened to withhold state funds to the Tribune Company, owner of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Cubs baseball team, and Wrigley Field, if the company did not fire several editorial board members who have been critical of him, the complaint alleges. The Tribune says it did not fire any editorial board writers.
Blagojevich was released on bond and went right back to work, though what he was doing in the governor’s office was unclear.
The charges have prompted talk of impeachment, and so far Blagojevich has refused to resign, prompting Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan to file a lawsuit today to have the Illinois Supreme Court declare him unfit to hold office. Madigan, the state’s first female attorney general, was also elected in 2002, and is a high-profile foe of Blagojevich, according to news reports.
Obama has been keeping his distance from Blagojevich, according to a report Friday from theWashington Post, because he knew the governor would be “trouble.” The transition team refuses to answer questions about the charges and is even removing questions from a section of its Web site, change.gov, launched Thursday for citizens to ask questions.
The charges announced this week are hardly the first allegations of corruption for Blagojevich, but just the first that prosecutors believe they could make stick. His administration has been marred by allegations of corruption from almost the day he took office.
“Clearly, the charges announced [Tuesday] reveal that the office of the Governor has become nothing more than a vehicle for self-enrichment, unrestricted by party affiliation and taking Illinois politics to a new low,” said Robert Grant, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Chicago field office.
Of course, Chicagoans know this is hardly the end of corruption in Illinois, only the tip of the iceberg. And you know your state is full of corrupt officials that just haven’t been caught yet, or can’t be touched. Thus is the way of government: it is a vehicle for the powerful to become even more powerful.
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Anonymous
Dec 12, 2008
that funny how dude tryed to sell barack obama seat i think he should go to jail for 1 or 2 years
That bastard.,
Dec 12, 2008
It serves him right. Now let them get the corrupt cops and judges. Those bastards are worse.
Deano252
Dec 12, 2008
I live in Rhode Island and i’m glad there is a state that is more corupt the little RI. If he does serve prison time that would be i believe the 4th govenor to go to jail in the past 40 years. At least their consistent.
Anonymous
Dec 12, 2008
Well I believe that Change is truely due and this is a good start in cleaning up all states. Their is none that is clean to the point you don’t have to watch for red flags.
I believe justice is do to the Gov. as well as I believe we need to look at some of Bush and Chaneys willing and dealing. Bet you could get a super big surprise. It isn’t fair to me that no matter who is a Gov. a Senator or even President should be allowed to walk away with all that this President and Vice President did to all of us out here.Where is justice at when we need them. Sorry folks, just a little angry.
Ray
Dec 13, 2008
Doesn’t it just really comfort everyone that the President to Be comes from the most corrupt part of a state with this much corruption. :-(
Corruption
Dec 13, 2008
California is the most corrupt state. They will sell you out and steal your id in prison too. Many of the judges are from other countries using different names.
kill
Dec 13, 2008
They will kill your first before they assume your id and take everything you own. Crooked pieces of shit.
Ray
Dec 13, 2008
It does seem that someone suck most if not all of the brains out of your head.
Ray
Dec 14, 2008
Speaking of suck you don’t even use proper English or grammar. What the fuck is wrong with you Ray? Are you one of those cops that took your relative’s badge and are falsely using it? You need help. We could sell you down the river for 25 cents but, sorry no one is buying. You might as well sell out becasue, you suck dumb shit. lol
FUck
Dec 14, 2008
Oh shit you are rubbing off on me. I am starting to spell like you holy shit!!Because, is the word. What will happen next will I become a common criminal like you? Hell no I would never stoop that low. LOOSER
Ray
Dec 14, 2008
OK forgot the “ed”, you forgot a whole lot more.
I do hope our network manager removes all of your stuff and bans you from the system soon.
Not a cop. I do in fact have a badge (just not law enforcement). I also earned it many time over.
Actually I have been starting to wonder if you are crooked law enforcement, and are trying to make the actual truth expressed on this board go away. Certainly that would be the most logical reason for the number of obvious lies that you keep posting here.
Speak
Dec 15, 2008
The truth shall set you free. Maybe this is not happening in your area but, it is in California. Are you a crook too? Come on what crap have you pulled? WE the people want to know.
Ray
Dec 16, 2008
Tell us what you have done. Did you steal from little old ladies or anyone? Did you set up innoncent people so you could make a buck? You dirty bastard. Be sure to wear that badge 24/7 you have it coming to you Mr. How can you look at yourself in the mirror? Where is your conscience? You are no better than a trick turning whore asshole!!!
gross
Dec 17, 2008
The one with the bleached hair, ugly glasses and dirty expression. You think you are fooling us on tv with your blue and white attire. Dream on wacko.
Tricks
Dec 17, 2008
These poor people these assholes set up. What about thier families,lost jobs, children and ect? You suck but, geuss what garbage sacks it will all come back to you ten fold. So be prepared payback is a bitch.
Prepaid phone guy
Dec 22, 2008
Let me understand this.. Our next president probably was not born in the United States, he has never voted on anything of relevance. Any issue that people care about he wouldn’t vote on. He was elected because he was Black. He comes from the most corrupt political state in the United States.
He believes this new religion called Green and the myth that we are causing a change in the weather pattern even though when you look at the whole atmosphere that which is changing the most is the temperature of the ocean. A while back he was saying we need to punish Detroit for selling people cars that do not get good gas mileage.
His Greatest accomplishment is he took a couple of years to write about himself—Wait those were years he was helping people.
As the next president he could have taken a leadership position on the Wall Street and Bailout problems. He will blame everything he screws up on Bush.
His first job in running for office has shown his true colors. He lied to everyone and said he would not take pac money then he took more pac money than the last three Republican candidates put together. He is another liar. And this one is spineless and smooth.
oooh
One of Many
Dec 22, 2008
Pretty convenient timing for that stuff to come to light don’t you think
December 8 – Illinois gov. threatens Bank of America
December 9- Illinois Governor Charged in Scheme to Sell Obama’s Seat
December 10-
Bank agrees to pay Republic Windows & Doors
One of Many
Dec 22, 2008
Sorry for double posting
I’d like to point out that there is no mention in the New York Times archive of the Governors threat on the banks. There’s plenty of Mention of the sit in at Republic Windows and doors, then the senate seat scandal and the next mention of the sit in is that it’s pretty much over and the bank decided to pay out.
obummer
Jan 07, 2009
fuck obama
obummer
Jan 07, 2009
the new world order agenda falls squarely in line with obamas plans…
fitness machines
Mar 21, 2009
One of the appointments up for sale, according to the complaint, was Obama’s vacant Senate seat, which he resigned after winning the presidential election. According to a wiretap, Blagojevich said that if the Senate seat “is a [expletive] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.” The complaint alleges that at various times Blagojevich discussed. Well isnt this interesting?
lar
Dec 12, 2009
This is more like the official story they want everyone to hear…I think it’s deeper…something to do with threatening BoA to not let the state borrow from them or something. oh well.