Illinois Governor Blagojevich arrested in corruption probe

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[Goalie]

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081209/ap_on_re_us/blagojevich_corruption_probe

[Goalie]

Should have included the heading:

Arrested on charges that he conspired to sell the US Senate Seat vacated by Obama to the highest bidder!

 

[Icy]

From the Chicago Tribune....a timeline of the inquiry leading to arrest.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-investigation-timeline-1208,0,2680294.story

[judi]

Have been watching the press conference on tv..until they lost contact

sounds like they have much on him....selling a seat in congress!  as well as many contracts, etc all related to how they would benefit him...primarily economically..but also with positions for himself and wife

at least they made it very clear that Obama was in no way shape or form involved in any of it

[Memphis, NY]

I just cannot believe how STUPID some people are Didn't he KNOW he would get caught?  Didn't he realize that the people he was trying to sell the seat to were going to turn him in? This really belongs under the heading DUMB CRIMINALS.  I beleive there is an award for this someone should nominate him.

[the problem child]

The Darwin Awards, perhaps? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_Awards#.22Self-selection.22 And, yes, life in prison apparently takes one out of the gene pool!

[Steve]

I just cannot believe how STUPID some people are Didn't he KNOW he would get caught?  Didn't he realize that the people he was trying to sell the seat to were going to turn him in? This really belongs under the heading DUMB CRIMINALS.  I beleive there is an award for this someone should nominate him.

If you Google dumb criminals, you'll get some wild stuff.

[Steve]

The Darwin Awards, perhaps?

Home page is http://www.darwinawards.com/

[Lucy]

 Has there been any substantial story (as opposed to speculation) as to who else may be named down the line?  Like those who were bidding for the seat? and those who passed?

[judi]

my husband told me he heard on PBS....either he is the most arrogrant politician in history or the dumbest...coin toss on which one, though my guess is BOTH

[BigSlick]

Where's Sarah?

[Aeroentropy]

Whew!

This is pretty wild. An arrest, even. Lots of coverage on NPR this evening.

Hubris is the first word that comes to my mind. The rules don't apply to me, I'll never get caught.

Alaska gets a break from the spotlight at last!

[Trini]

I finally made it here! Whew. That was tough.

So Blago got his "wake up, you're arrested" call. He was told that the FBI was right outside. The report from his court appearance stated that he was in tight blue jogging pants and a blue shirt. Too funny, they didn't even let him put on a suit so he had to do the perp walk dressed like that!

Here is the link to the complaint and affidavit:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/acrobat/2008-12/43789434.pdf

It's a long read, but go to the affidavit and get to the part about the results from his tapped home phone line. It's pretty clear that Obama had distanced himself from Blago. It's also clear that Blago wanted to sell the seat for a HHS post in the cabinet, but was blown off. It's also clear that he and his wife both have potty mouths.

I am a State of Illinois employee. Every year, we all have to take an ethics training and exam. It's very simplistic. You can do it in about 15 minutes. 2 employees did their training in too quick of a time and were reprimanded. They are suing. So now, most just leave the site up so that it looks like they took at least an hour to take the exam. Blago started this program and bragged about it. Looks like he didn't think the concept of ethics applied to him!

There is deja vu in the affidavit where Blago was trying to get a CEO fired in exchange for money. (The Chi Tribune CEO). Reminds me of Palin's use of her power to fire Monegan. Alaska needs Patrick Fitzgerald!

[InJuneau]

Alaska needs Patrick Fitzgerald!

Yes, yes we do.  When he's done with this battle, maybe you can loan him to us for a while?  I'm sure he'd relish looking into Housegate, Perdiumgate, Clothinggate, whateverothergateshecreatesgate...

[Trini]

Didn't he know that he would get caught? Well, political corruption and "pay to play" has been so cemented into the mentality of Illinois politician's that is seems to be regarded as acceptable practice. Caught at what, they may ask, this is what we do and if you don't do it too, you will be ostracized from the "club".

The difference I see between SWWNBN's "gates" and Blago's deeds are that the her gates have been done. Blago was conspiring (allegedly) to commit his gates. If evidence can be found on her gates (and it must be out there) she can be nailed. The housegate is the most significant in my opinion.

[Trini]

Oh, and the State's fiscal year began July 1, 2008. We still don't have a budget. He won't sign one. Vendors are not being paid and soon, many services are going to stop. What an a$$!

I'm still a greenhorn. Sigh.

[Trini]

I take that back. I'm now a Community Organizer! Yipee!!!! 

[in exile (SC version)]

On Countdown, the guest just said something about the Blago deal being Obama's first scandal????? I didn't catch the guest's name as I had just walked indoors from a kid orchestra Christmas concert. Is this going to stick to our new president?

[BigSlick]

Is this going to stick to our new president?

Highly doubtful it will even become a bump in the road. Blago himself was complaining in the taped conversations that the Obama team wasn't even responding to his attempts to contact them.

[The Blogger]

I take that back. I'm now a Community Organizer! Yipee!!!! 

Tini, I also now Community Organizer!  You and me should take drink together, no?  Just for celebation!

I here about G. Blagovethc also.  But I am thinking to me, "what is the big deel?"

To be good politics one needs much money, no? This is in history somthing we learn over and over.  The big leeders, they must all gather the money any way, find a way.

More important, they make good works,make the jobs.