Shocking, really... Illinois Governor Arrested on Corruption Charges Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff were arrested in Chicago Tuesday on two counts each of corruption charges relating to trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat. FOXNews.com Tuesday, December 09, 2008 Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested Tuesday morning in Chicago on two counts each of federal corruption charges stemming from allegations Blagojevich was trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat to the highest bidder. The arrest is part of a three-year probe of "pay-to-play politics" in the governor's administration. The criminal complaint by the FBI says each man was arrested on two charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. 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. Blagojevich and Harris will have an initial appearance in U.S. District Court Tuesday. A statement by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Robert Grant said Blagojevich and Harris "allegedly conspired to sell U.S. Senate appointment, engaged in pay-to-play schemes and threatened to withhold state assistance to Tribune Company for Wrigley Field to induce purge of newspaper editorial writers." "The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," Fitzgerald said in a statement. "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," he added. Grant noted that Blagojevich was elected in 2002 after Illinois Gov. George Ryan retired in the face of federal corruption charges. He was convicted and sentenced in 2006 to six and a half years in prison. "Many, including myself, thought that the recent conviction of a former governor would usher in a new era of honesty and reform in Illinois politics. Clearly, the charges announced today 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," Grant said. Federal authorities were permitted by a judge to record the governor secretly before the November election after raising concerns that a replacement for Obama would be tainted. Fitzgerald's office said the 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was taped conspiring to sell or trade Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife, including an annual salary of $250,000-$300,000 at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions. They also allege Blagojevich is heard on tape demanding a corporate board seat for his wife worth as much as $150,000 a year; promises of campaign funds, including cash up front; and a Cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself. The Chicago Tribune was first to report the arrests. Informed Monday of the wiretap, Blagojevich told reporters that his discussions were "always lawful" and he defended a close confidant, John Wyma, who turned on him. Wyma as "an honest person who's conducted himself in an honest way," Blagojevich said. "I should say if anybody wants to tape my conversations, go right ahead, feel free to do it," he said. However, the Tribune was also named in the affidavit because tapes allegedly play Blagojevich directing Harris to inform the newspaper's owners and advisers that "state financial assistance would be withheld unless members of the Chicago Tribune's editorial board were fired, primarily because Blagojevich viewed them as driving discussion of his possible impeachment." The Tribune Company, which declared bankruptcy on Monday, owns the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Cubs, and had explored the possibility of obtaining assistance from the Illinois Finance Authority as part of the effort to sell the Cubs and finance the sale of Wrigley Field. Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Solicitation of bribery carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. Both carry a maximum fine of $250,000.
Not trying to defend Blago, but I still think what Ryan did was far worse as it ultimately led to the death of innocent people. I just hope they never grant Ryan a pardon. 6 years is not enough. PS: This thread belongs into P&R, but I won't move it for the time being as it is a regional topic.
It really pisses me off that he cut funds to the children's memorial hospital. That's just disgusting...
Grand Poobah, What Ryan did was going on in the Sec'y of State office long before he became Sec'y of State, and then Governor! George and Rod are just typical politicians in our wonderful state, of which we know of at least 20% have committed criminal acts! Thank God, Cook County has Todd Stroger as its Prez; he's beyond capitulation, and is the only honest politician we've had in years!!!!
I am SO glad I hadn't yet taken a bite of my breakfast before I read that. Even more glad that I'm 700+ miles away from it all
+1! Emil Jones Junior who is replacing his daddy in the Senate will "clean up" Springfield also......
Happy Birthday, Blago! I was relieved to hear that Illinois is only the 6th most corrupt state per capita.
Andreas, I'm not about to defend either governor but would like to correct your common misconception that Ryan's office having given that driver a license for cash was the cause of that crash. The crash was the result of defective equipment on a particular truck, a piece fell off of it as I recall. The mechanical failure would have occured wether driven by a legimately licensed driver or not. Perhaps our next governor will put some meaningful vehicle inspections in place, for cars and trucks.
I read someplace that the Gov's wife business partner was that Rezboko (sic) guy and she made millions in sweatheart realestate deals with him, before he got sent to the crossbar hotel.
Ryan is directly responsible for the death of that family: The piece that fell off was dangling on the back of the truck for miles as he was driving through WI. Other truck drivers tried to warn him over CB, but because he didn't understand English, he had no clue. A trained driver would have probably not even have his truck falling apart on him while en route and would have understood the signals given to him by fellow truckers. I used to drive trucks in my home country and went through the education process. It was lengthy and involving. Had I just bought my license instead, I would have been an accident waiting to happen as well.
Does anyone know of any country that doesn't have/had corrupt politicians. If so, I'd like to move there! I consider all politicians to be corrupt until they prove otherwise. It's really a sad state of affairs........ I'll say it again, in Cook County Todd Stroger is the only one we can trust. I hope he gets his just adieu real soon!
LOL! There are a couple really nice corruption-free countries. I can't tell you which ones, though. You'd be too tempted to move there, eventually run for office, become drunk with power and succumb to the temptations of your position. You can take the boys out of Chicago... As for the truck in the George Ryan case, was that a company-owned truck, or was it owned by the driver? I don't remember the details.
I'm just glad it's not NJ in the news for once! I think we're ranked 9th, but that shocks me as there are some shady things that go on here...
Driving is taken far more seriously in Europe as you are no doubt aware. A CDL like a regular DL isn't difficult to get, even legitimately. Assuming all truckers here have completed some rigorous training as you have is wrong. Wether or not the driver would have done things differently had he been properly licensed, or spoken better English can be speculated on forever. If indeed so many frantic efforts were made to make him aware he is more irresponsible than ignorant. Again not Ryan's fault.
I heard on the radio that defense lawyer(s) are preparing Blago's defense based insanity. Oh, this is going to be good.
Another corrupt Chicago politician, such a shocker. And Obama says he has not spoke to the Governor, yet his chief advisor says he did. Reminds me of Casablanca. Police Chief: "I am shocked, shocked there is gambling in the establishment!" Table Dealer: "Here are your winnings Sir." Police Chief: "Oh, thank you."
Why? A corrupt government isn't necessarily a bad government per se. It is my strong belief that the best form of government is a benevolent king. As long as the king (Grand Poobah ) does everything in the interest of his people, everybody can be better off and it is IMHO quite ok for the king to live in a golden palace. It certainly is a lot more efficient than a democracy. I always thought that Chicago is doing pretty well as a city because we have politicians who sometimes take a short cut. I realize I'm on very thin ice with my line of arguing, but again, corruption per se doesn't equal unefficient government.
Well that's pure speculation, remember now Blago says he did nothing wrong and it's business as usual for him. To be contemplating his defense this early in the game is not valid. That is a long way away... sure as hell seems like you'd have to be insane though to do what he did...
Only stating what I heard on the radio this morning driving to work. Probably too early, but discussions on his behavior points to a disorder and that may be the basis for the defense.
