Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is in federal custody on corruption charges, a law enforcement official said Tuesday.
Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Illinois.
Both men are expected in U.S. District Court in Chicago later Tuesday.
A news conference is expected at noon.
Federal prosecutors say Blagojevich, Harris and others conspired to gain financial benefits in appointing President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate replacement, according to the statement.
“The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering,” U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said 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.”
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.
The Obama transition team is aware that Blagojevich is in federal custody, but has no comment, according to a senior Democratic source.
The statement also alleges that Blagojevich and others tried to illegally obtain campaign contributions.
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.
Blagojevich, who turns 52 on Wednesday, is in his second four-year term as Illinois governor. His term ends in January 2011.
Before being elected governor, he served as a U.S. congressman for Illinois’ 5th district from 1997 until 2003, according to his online biography. He and his wife, Patti, have two daughters.
Blagojevich announced last month that he was forming a panel to review candidates to fill Obama’s Senate seat.
Several Illinois Democrats — including Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, a former congressional candidate who now serves in Blagojevich’s administration — have been mentioned as possible Senate replacements for Obama.
(Source: CNN)
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15 Responses
B”H
Very interesting that such a charge comes on the heels of his strong stance against the Bank of America. . .
Barack Hussein Obama and the notoriously corrupt Chicago political machine.
oh please … #1 … they have quotes of him trying to sell the senate seat and extort the Tribune Corp.
This is the same Governor Blagojevich (pronounced Bla-GOY-A-Vitch) who — when it was discovered that he had appointed a notoriously anti-Semitic Louis Farrakhan lieutenant to the state’s human rights commission — refused to fire her or ask her to resign. In fact, I believe that she is still “serving” on the state commission, while continuing to preach hate of Jews.
Dr. K: This govorner has for several years been an indictment waiting to be filed. With all the corruption investigations gainst him, he is alleged to have been offering Barack Obama’s senate seat for sale to the highest bidder, with a starting point of $500,000. This is waaaaay bigger than that BoA shtus from yesterday.
All you national observers of the National political scene may be aware of the name Tony Rezko, and his association with Batack Obama. But where it all comes from is a trial, in which Blogojevich’s name was featured prominently, and Obama’s name was brought in, at most, as a tangential reference. Blago’s corruption has been front page news in Chicago for 2-3 years already, and he has the ha’aza to go and try to sell the most prominent senate seat (Obama’s) out there. He’s a clown, since way before the BOA stunt frmo yesterday.
Re #2 – Let go Joseph. The “…notoriously corrupt Chicago political machine…” predates your adulthood, really has nothing to do with the maamser governor, and even less to do with the President-Elect.
Another hit of corruption coming close on the heels of p.e. Barack Obama will only serve to add to his popularity & backing by the degenerate American public. Because that is what the American public wants – a leader who stoops down to their level of indecency.
Deleted.
To # 8: The only thing that bothers me about you is that chose as your username a real nice name from tanach.
The last word in post is the only appropo one. NEBUCH!!!
I feel bad for the Governor and his hairpiece…
Joseph, I have a hyperthetical question for you. If Obama proves to be a remarkable president, if the economy shapes up and world peace reigns , will you give him credit ?
It makes as much sense to associate President-Elect Obama with the crimes of Governor Blagojevich as it does to associate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin with the crimes of former Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens.
#8 your misguided beliefs are the worst form of Loshon Horah that borders on Rishus.
How dare you compare the American business ethic to our Choshove communities?
What are you thinking? With a paint brush you Bashmutz the Charaidishah community!I
#8 You dont get a pass for being self deprecating.
SHAME SHAME Yonason- watch your words carefully they border on Public Chillul Hashem.
It’s the minhag ha-makom. No wonder Obama was anxious to leave. At least the guy didn’t list it on ebay.
danger!!!
dont talk to nys gov paterson.
his phone is tapped too!!!