Illinois Governor Taken Into Federal Custody For Abusing His Authority To Appoint Obama Successor
Illinois Governor Taken Into Federal Custody For Abusing His Authority To Appoint Obama Successor
Federal authorities took Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and his chief of staff John Harris into custody this morning on federal corruption charges. Before the arrest, the Chicago Tribune had reported that a “three-year federal corruption investigation of pay-to-play politics in Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration has expanded to include his impending selection of a new U.S. senator to succeed President-elect Barack Obama.” According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office:
A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining:
– a substantial salary for himself at a either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions;
– placing 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; and
– a cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.
Fitzgerald, who successfully prosecuted Scooter Libby, said in a statement that “the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering.” “I want to make money,” the affidavit quotes Blagojevich as saying in one conversation. The full 76-page two-count criminal complaint can be found here. FireDogLake has more.
Today is a sad day for the state of Illinois. It is important that we let the justice system run its course and remember that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. But if these allegations are even remotely true, they would represent a shameful breach of the public trust and be cause for the Governor’s immediate resignation.
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You just know the right wing is going to jump all over this…
December 9th, 2008 at 10:17 amIt’s just as well, this guy has a very dark cloud that follows him everywhere. Weed out the corruption, wherever found.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:17 amA pox on political houses.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:17 am- – If the charges are true it’s a shocking abuse of power and Gov. Rod deserves his punishment.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:18 amWow. They put this case together curiously fast…
December 9th, 2008 at 10:21 amWe do not need this sort of thing in the Democratic Party. If he is guilty, then punish him to the fullest extent of the law.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:21 amThank you, Patrick Fitzgerald, for your hard work. Corrupt politicians have no rightful place in our Democracy. They are the reason many people feel government cannot be trusted.
Jane and I made a good choice when we named one of our cats after you, “Fitz”.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:22 amSpeaking as an Illinoian and an Obama supporter, good riddance to bad rubbish. That’s two governers in a row for Fitz. Cheney, Addington, and Rove are not going to be happy reading this. Fitz is going to be free to go back to Washington on January 21st and clean house for Barack.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:23 amBadmoonman @ 4
What you said.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:26 amZooey Says:
Wow. They put this case together curiously fast…
Yes, the day after he urged state agencies to avoid dealing with Bank of America over that Republic worker protest thing too.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Ill._Governor_suspends_business_with_Bank_1208.html
But, I’m sure that was just a coincidence.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:26 amIf the charges are true it’s a shocking abuse of power
Don’t worry, there will be so many charges he’s done. I’m thankful he was arrested, preventing him from picking my next US Senator.
“Blow Dry Blagojevich” is a scumbag, always has been. Son-in-law of a Chicago pol (Richard Mell), he’s always been about Rod.
He deserves a cell right next to ex-Gov. Ryan. And Durbin, if he is wise, will cease with the “free Gov. Ryan” campaign he’s currently engaged in.
RUN ,Dick Durbin and any IL politicians, from these two embarrassments from IL as far away as you possibly can.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:27 amuh boy… well, the proverbial straw, i guess…
he’s been under the scope for a long time… and yet, he won RE-election last month…
way too bad that this involves naming obama’s replacement…
December 9th, 2008 at 10:31 amhoping for the best there… of course…
Amazing how the Good Ol’ Boy political network still thrives in the 21st Century….
December 9th, 2008 at 10:31 ami saw some video from the recent governors meeting… caught a glimpse of blago just before obama came into the picture and barely acknowledged him as he was greeting all the govs…
it was obvious blago tried to insert himself for best exposure, and as obvious that obama was wishing he hadn’t…
December 9th, 2008 at 10:34 amWell, aint that a kick in the nuts
I guess we need to weed out all the crooks before we can give the GOP grief.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:34 amThis case has been developing for some time now, years, it appears his actions regarding Bank of America may have simply been the tipping point.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:35 amPoliticians behaving normally. This is news?
December 9th, 2008 at 10:37 amoh! mary @11 good call…
December 9th, 2008 at 10:37 amhmmmm…
Dr. Hussein Matt Says:
If he were a reich-winger, the water carriers would be defending him.
Sort of, if you mean “defending” in its broadest sense… they’d being saying the Guvnor is like teh most awesome dude evah, and Fitzgerald is an idjit and a tool of the mean bloggers and the radical left and this whole thing is stoopid because NO CRIME WAS COMMITTED!!
December 9th, 2008 at 10:39 amand yet, he won RE-election last month…
He ran in 2006, was up for re-election 2010.
Get your facts straight.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:42 amIf he has done this he should be gone and the democrats should stand up right away and say that this will not be tolerated by any party.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:45 amRobbie B’s only fault was not to conceal his venality any better.
He didn’t do anything everybody else in powerful positions has done successfully a little less publicly…
This is Murka, where you get one big chance and you’re stupid if you don’t seize it…
December 9th, 2008 at 10:45 amBy all accounts Blagojevich had this coming, the BoA issue is entirely coincidental.
But I do wonder how come a Governor can be so easily arrested on charges, whereas Karl Rove and Harriet Meiers ( Meyers–?) who ignored subpoenas “compelling (HAH!) them to testify” have been left alone?
Oh yeah , I forgot…. Harry “The Man Without A Spine!!!” Reid.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:45 amRighties are going to have a field day with this one. Tony Rezko is a Blagojevich fundraiser and is a key figure in these charges. You may recall that name?
I hope that Obama doesn’t back off his support for the Republic Doors and Windows workers now.
Obama defends Republic Windows and Doors workers
December 9th, 2008 at 10:49 amGovernors like this were the reason we passed the 17th Amendment letting the people choose their Senators.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:50 amBlago is garbage. More counts in all likelihood will be tacked on from previous year’s dealings. Illinois must get itself a governor of the people.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:52 amRighties are going to have a field day with this one.
And, as usual, they will be flaming hypocrites. Why?
Remember how much they lambasted and questioned the integrity of Patrick Fitzgerald during the Rove/Libby/Cheney treason case (Valerie Plame)? So now Fitzgerald is the “Caped Crusader” fighting evil?
Of course, Fitzgerald is a great, patriotic American – was during the Plame case, and is here – but at least the left is consistent in their take.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:53 amRighties would have a field day if Obama left the toilet seat up. I’m confident that people will keep this in perspective.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:55 amlokidog Says:
So now Fitzgerald is the “Caped Crusader” fighting evil?
lol – thanks for the chuckle. I kind of needed it.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:56 amThis whole thing smells to high heaven to me. I find it hard to believe that Blagojevich is so stupid he wouldn’t realize that his phones were tapped considering the fact that the Feds have been investigating him for three years. Also, the timing is just too convenient.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:58 am“I find it hard to believe that Blagojevich is so stupid…”
George Bush got to be president……
Thank goodness they got him out of there before he had a chance to pick Obama’s replacement!
December 9th, 2008 at 11:02 amthe President-elect wanted Senate Candidate 1 for the open seat but “they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them.”
This was very good to hear.
Progressives do not tolerate corruption, glad this corrupt scum got caught, we need honest politicians who do their job correctly and with honor.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:03 amI find it hard to believe that Blagojevich is so stupid he wouldn’t realize that his phones were tapped
Believe it, my friend (McInsane imitation).
He’s that greedy, which leads to being that stupid.
I don’t think we’ve heard half of what they’ve got on him.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:04 amThe headline over at redstate:
Charges Against Blago Imply Outreach to Obama
I knew they’d have no problem linking all this to Obama somehow.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:05 amlokidog Says:
Of course, Fitzgerald is a great, patriotic American – was during the Plame case, and is here – but at least the left is consistent in their take.
I disagree. I think that Fitzgerald is a right wing sycophant. I believe that the Bush Crime Family told him to go after Libby as a scapegoat. There was so much more Fitzgerald could have done in the Plame case but he chose to concentrate only on Libby. I’m sure that he knew that Bush was going to let Libby off scott free also.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:05 amMore likely that Blagojevich knew the indictment was coming and threw up the BoA issue as a smoke screen. This doesn’t smell like a setup. Fitz has a track record of straight shooting and the report indicates that Blagojevich was trying to extort an appointment from Obama in exchange for naming the preferred successor to the vacant Senate seat. If this was political an indictment would have come down the week before the election. Obama is probably just as happy to have this out now.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:06 amAs a citizen of Illinois, I just have to wonder what it is about the office of the Governor. Otto Kerner, Dan Walker, George Ryan, and now Blagojevich. (Jim Thompson had his scandals too, though he didn’t go to jail for them.)
December 9th, 2008 at 11:08 amIt’s not ‘Chicago politics’ either: This is Springfield stuff.
The rest of Illinois government works, as a rule, pretty well, but the Governor’s office seems like a transplant from Louisiana.
oh! excuse me lokidog… i was confused…
(thinking of durbin’s re-election)
just heard on stephanie’s show some quotes to be found on thesmokinggun… hoo wee…
December 9th, 2008 at 11:10 amJohn Kerry Says: Libs = crooks and liars!
I’ll save this little morsel, and hand it back to you next year about this time.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:15 amThe courts will be full of ex-Bushies.
LOL
I think that Fitzgerald is a right wing sycophant
Tell that to Republican George Ryan who is in prison. Tell that to other Republicans Fitzgerald has prosecuted.
Fitzgerald is apolitical when it comes to crime. He is no sycophant. Let his record speak for him, not me.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:16 amThis little scandal may bring a smile or two to a few winger faces. But it’ll take a lot more than that to really cheer Republicans up.
An economic depression or a domestic terror attack would be much better, form their point of view. I’ll bet every Republican is on his knees every day, praying for disaster to strike their fellow Americans. It will take a lot of people getting hurt to make Republicans sing again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSGLzStgujM
December 9th, 2008 at 11:17 amMary says:
I knew they’d have no problem linking all this to Obama somehow.
Yeah, big surprise, huh? But, like Rezko, there’s no “there” there. Let the wingnuts spew away.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:19 amJohn Kerry Says:
When will it ever end?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:19 amWhen Blago is assigned to the bunk above former republican governor Ryan. Stupid putty cat.
Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says: This whole thing smells to high heaven to me. I find it hard to believe that Blagojevich is so stupid he wouldn’t realize that his phones were tapped considering the fact that the Feds have been investigating him for three years.
Yes, that is something to think about.
On the other hand arrogance facilitates stupidity and politicians by their very nature have to be pretty impressed with themselves anyway and you know the old saying about power.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:21 amlokidog Says:
Mary says:
I knew they’d have no problem linking all this to Obama somehow.
Yeah, big surprise, huh? But, like Rezko, there’s no “there” there. Let the wingnuts spew away.
Look at the story on the FoxSnooze website. They waste no time connecting the governor to criminal “Obama associates.”
December 9th, 2008 at 11:23 amAt least the rampant corruption in Illinois is bipartisan. Too bad George Ryan got transferred to a medium security facility due to health…he and Blagojevich could’ve been cellmates.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:25 amlokidog – from what I’ve seen so far this morning the righties can’t seem to decide if Obama threw him under the bus or if the feds will lean on the gov. for dirt on Obama. Much spewing going on that’s for sure.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:26 amgummitch says:
They waste no time connecting the governor to criminal “Obama associates.”
And I say “flail away, lil’ wingnuts”. The “associates” strategy worked so well for you in the last election, huh?
LOL
December 9th, 2008 at 11:27 amRampant corruption in Illinois is bipartisan? That’s deeply concerning at the moment.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:27 amDecember 9, 2008
Gov. Blagojevich invoked Richard Nixon on Monday in responding to a Chicago Tribune report that he’s been secretly recorded by federal authorities.
“It kind of smells like Nixon and Watergate,” the governor told reporters. “But I don’t care whether you tape me privately or publicly, I can tell you that whatever I say is always lawful.”
The governor’s administration has been the subject of a federal probe into whether contracts and jobs were being traded for contributions to Blagojevich’s campaign fund.
Blagojevich, who has not been charged with any crimes, put a positive spin on the federal scrutiny.
“The good news is, if they’re going to those lengths and extents — if in fact that’s true — that would suggest that all the past has been pretty good,” the governor said.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1320771,CST-NWS-gov09.article
uh oh… what a difference a day makes…
December 9th, 2008 at 11:29 amMary @ #50:
Don’t worry about it. Just tell the lunatic fringe to listen to the tape of Blajo saying “f*** them” regarding Obama & Co.
Or tell them to lay out their facts, and you’ll get……
crickets chirping
December 9th, 2008 at 11:30 amThe governor has an approval rating lower than both George Bush and syphillis. Today’s incident appears to demonstrate why. The governor’s actions are akin to what we have come to expect from the Repignican Party. If found guilty I hope he rots – maybe in a cell next door to Bush and Cheney?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:31 amWow! It is time to get Charlie Rangel
December 9th, 2008 at 11:31 amAnd while we are at it, let’s go after the bushies too
December 9th, 2008 at 11:38 amJohn Kerry,
We know that there are corrupt Democrats as well as corrupt Republicans. The difference between us is that we want all corrupt politicians, regardless of party affiliation, sent to jail for their corruption.
You seem convinced that your beloved Republicans can do no wrong. I have news for you. Not only can they do wrong, they prefer to do wrong.
Remember Tom Delay bragging about his own pay-for-play operation in DC (The K-Street Project)? Lobbyists who paid enough money to Republican PACs and campaigns were given the chance to write the legislation. Why is DeLay walking around free?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:39 amJoeBridgeman Says:
Wow! It is time to get Charlie Rangel
December 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am
If there is evidence that he broke the law? Yes!
December 9th, 2008 at 11:40 am(D) or (R), let’s squeeze them out of office like the turds they are.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:47 amJohn Kerry:
December 9th, 2008 at 11:55 amWhy are you so afraid of me?
Watch for Blagojevich to switch his affiliation to the Republican Party, receive a pardon from W before January 20th, and then join a right-wing think tank, where he can enjoy the company of those who share his values.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pmLokidog and Mary – I know you’re unhappy that Republicans will immediately tie this to Obama, but it’s difficult not to do so considering you can always tell what kind of person somebody is when you look at the people they associate themselves with.
I do agree with several of the posters here who say it doesn’t matter the party affiliation of crooks. I think we can all agree that we want ALL corrupt politicians to be in prison.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pmWhat is to stop the governor from appointing a successor to Senator/President Elect Obama today? He does not meet criteria for impeachment yet and there will not be a trial for some time.
This could be his last hurrah.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pmI lived in chicago for many years, and was there when this guy was elected. It took about 10 seconds for the allegations of corruption to hit once he was in office. He is truly bi-partisan, both the Democrats and Republicans can’t stand him.
The truly remarkable thing about Governor “B” as he is referred to, is that it took them this long to arrest him.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:11 pmMan…it never ceases to amaze me how blind arrogance – by the powerful in both parties – leads them into such stupid behavior.
It is like Eliot Spitzer in NY – what in God’s name was he thinking that he wouldn’t get caught? That was just sex, though, this Blago bonehead is much worse, the number of indictments leveled against him just makes me go, did this guy serve an honest day in his life? And Ryan before him – same deal. Friends at TP in Illinois…well, condolences, I guess.
It makes you wonder – is there any honesty in government? For every cockroach you catch running across the kitchen floor when you turn the lights on, how many do you never see?
While the R’s have totally betrayed the conservative value of limited government, it is stuff like this that makes you – maybe – understand why you would want small government.
News conference time for the US Atty…looks like it’ll get uglier the more we learn.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:11 pmIf the charges are true, he should go, but just like Scooter Libby, he has a right to a trial before he’s hung.
I live in Chicago, in Blag’s neighborhood, in fact. I hear from Republican friends all the time about how corrupt he is, but then again, these are the same folks who were willing to give Sarah Palin the benefit of the doubt about whether she was stupid after seeing the Katie Couric interviews.
Is it just me or does the FBI seem rather focused on big name Dems? Spitzer, Blago, etc.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:12 pmmikeyes Says:
What is to stop the governor from appointing a successor to Senator/President Elect Obama today? He does not meet criteria for impeachment yet and there will not be a trial for some time.
Yeah! He could appoint his wife, so at least she’d have that job he wanted for her…
December 9th, 2008 at 12:14 pmPay to play, a la K Street
One example was a public private partnership, i.e. a Toll Road. The other involved health care, funding for a Children’s Hospital.
Blag demanded quid pro quo political contributions. He’s a tick on the arse of our current political system.
The Government Industrial Monstrosity lives on…
December 9th, 2008 at 12:15 pmyou can always tell what kind of person somebody is when you look at the people they associate themselves with.
You mean like this?
December 9th, 2008 at 12:15 pmDr. Hussein Matt Says:
No mention of David Vitter in LA and “what in God’s name was he thinking that he wouldn’t get caught”? Typical fake selective outrage from the reich-wing.
Can you not read or are you willfully obtuse? I said – in both parties. I cited Ryan, a Republican. They are all corrupt governors. Try honest debate, just once.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:19 pmor like these guys….
December 9th, 2008 at 12:20 pmColin Powell
Douglas Feith
George Tenet
Scooter Libby
Donald Rumsfeld
John Bolton
John Ashcroft
Paul McNulty
Monica Goodling
Kyle Sampson
Tom Delay
Duke Cunningham
Jack Abramoff
Robert E. Coughlin II
Jeff Gannon/James Guckert
Bob Ney
Mark Foley
Katherine Harris
Scott McClellan
Ari Fleischer
Michael Brown
Paul Wolfowitz
Tony Blair
Dan Bartlett
Tim Griffin
Alberto Gonzales
Dr. Hussein Matt Says:
Wears diapers at Night Says:
you can always tell what kind of person somebody is when you look at the people they associate themselves with.
Oh! Well there you go, you can’t read since you attribute quotes to me made by a different poster. Thanks for clearing that up!
Try Read–ing all of post 65, “Dr.”.
Sheesh
December 9th, 2008 at 12:22 pm>>.. but it’s difficult not to do so considering you can always tell what kind of person somebody is when you look at the people they associate themselves with.<<
With all due respect, that is utter nonsense – following this logic, EVERY politician in IL is “suspect” because they “associate” with Blagojevich as part of their job.
Guilt by association is used by those who have nothing of fact or substance to go after someone. Didn’t work with Ayers, won’t work here (with thinking, objective people, anyways).
Post something factual other than smearing with innuendo, please.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:23 pmKeltoi at Night Says:
We’re just trying to to be fair and balanced. You mention two dems and elaborate on both of them and then mention(barley)one rep in passing.
Just doesn’t seem balanced in todays realities…..
December 9th, 2008 at 12:29 pmI guess you can say that the Blagojevich’s “chicken” has “come home to roost”.
Just like in a lot of states, voters in Illinois are getting EXACTLY what they deserve or want.
Maybe, now they can be serious about who they vote into office, and rather than coveting corruption, voters can pay attention to seekers of elective office who SHUN corruption! OsiSpeaks.com
December 9th, 2008 at 12:30 pmThe right mined a New Yorker piece for Blag’s connections to Obama and Emanuel.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_lizza?currentPage=all
They’ll blow it out of proportion.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:34 pmI guess John Aravosis and Atrios get their Fitzmas after all!!
December 9th, 2008 at 12:53 pmObama rejected the extortion attempt very quickly; within just a few days of Jarrett being identified as his choice for the Senate, he named her to a White House job instead. It looks like he kept his hands clean in the whole deal.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:42 pmJohn Kerry Says:
Says the moron from the party of Ney, Cunningham and Abramoff. JK you are a coward and a punk. When will TP ban this fool?
December 9th, 2008 at 4:21 pmDamn! This just made my chance to become a Senator from IL. crap.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:06 pmim from illinois and politics is alive and well here,,,hes been a nut case from the beginning and he was given a chance to clean up ryans mess and this is what we get,,,NOW MR DURBIN who is on a quest to get RYAN pardoned, isnt that something, can now maybe get the two for one deal and get this one thrown in on the deal,, i say lets get rid of DURBIN also… all hes for is letting the crooks go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 10th, 2008 at 12:48 pmJust like the cold war when everyone who didn’t agree with the U.S. was either a communist or a communist sympathizer. toki This poor crazy guy spent half a decade being tortured because a bunch of stupid politicians araç sorgulama were sure the NVA was in bed with the Russians (minimal help) and/or the Chinese (ancient enemy of the vietnamese). ssk sorgulama You would think he would have learned from others’ mistakes. Guess not. Republicans need an enemy. key ödemeleri This century it apparently will be all Muslims, health all of whom must be alQaeda operatives.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:33 pmTP ban this fool? araç sorgulama
March 18th, 2009 at 5:17 am