Chicago Tribune: Ill. Gov. Blagojevich in federal custody

[Niels Bohr 72]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been taken into federal custody at his home, the Chicago Tribune reported on Tuesday citing unnamed sources.

The newspaper said on its website that the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago would not confirm the information.

Blagojevich was the subject of a federal corruption probe.

[almaty 19]

a long history of govenor's ending up in federal prison.....

[kaydee457 13]

I'm so proud.....Here's the details.....

Ill. Gov. arrested in Obama successor probe

CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges of conspiring to get financial benefits through his authority to appoint a U.S. senator to fill the vacancy left by Barack Obama's election as president.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

The affidavit said Blagojevich discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

It said that Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office.

"I want to make money," the affidavit quotes him as saying in one conversation.

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement that "the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering."

"They allege that Blagojevich put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States senator," Fitzgerald said."

Among those being considered for the post include U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Jesse Jackson Jr.

Blagojevich also was charged with using his authority as governor in an attempt to squeeze out campaign contributions.

His chief of staff, John Harris, also was arrested.

Both men were expected to appear later Tuesday before a federal magistrate in Chicago.

Corruption in the Blagojevich administration has been the focus of a federal investigation involving an alleged $7 million scheme aimed at squeezing kickbacks out of companies seeking business from the state. Federal prosecutors have acknowledged they're also investigating "serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" under Blagojevich.

Political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko who raised money for the campaigns of both Blagojevich and Obama is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of fraud and other charges. Blagojevich's chief fundraiser, Christopher G. Kelly, is due to stand trial early next year on charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service.

Blagojevich took the chief executive's office in 2003 as a reformer promising to clean up former Gov. George Ryan's mess.

Ryan, a Republican, is serving a 6-year prison sentence after being convicted on racketeering and fraud charges. A decade-long investigation began with the sale of driver's licenses for bribes and led to the conviction of dozens of people who worked for Ryan when he was secretary of state and governor.

source

[Sister Fracas 5]

Another one bites the dust....

[Niels Bohr 72]

It's so rampant. NY, then Ill.

Edited December 9, 2008 by Niels Bohr

[Sister Fracas 5]

It's so rampant. NY, then Ill.

We likes our corrupt gov'ners in Illinois... no matter the political party either....LOL

[HAL 9000 96]

It's so rampant. NY, then Ill.

We likes our corrupt gov'ners in Illinois... no matter the political party either....LOL

HAL 9000 remembers the 6 year sentence handed over to George Ryan. Looks like slick Rod is on his way down.

[star_dragon 0]

It's so rampant. NY, then Ill.

We likes our corrupt gov'ners in Illinois... no matter the political party either....LOL

HAL 9000 remembers the 6 year sentence handed over to George Ryan. Looks like slick Rod is on his way down.

Maybe they'll put them in cells next to each other

[Sister Fracas 5]

It's so rampant. NY, then Ill.

We likes our corrupt gov'ners in Illinois... no matter the political party either....LOL

HAL 9000 remembers the 6 year sentence handed over to George Ryan. Looks like slick Rod is on his way down.

Wouldn't it be fun to have them both in at the same time...heehee

That is unless Bush pardons Ryan...

[almaty 19]

It's so rampant. NY, then Ill.

We likes our corrupt gov'ners in Illinois... no matter the political party either....LOL

damn straight, they all end up in jail..after being reelected............

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Corrupt IL politics? I'm shocked.

Maybe we can pool our money and buy obama's seat.

[HAL 9000 96]

It's so rampant. NY, then Ill.

We likes our corrupt gov'ners in Illinois... no matter the political party either....LOL

HAL 9000 remembers the 6 year sentence handed over to George Ryan. Looks like slick Rod is on his way down.

Wouldn't it be fun to have them both in at the same time...heehee

That is unless Bush pardons Ryan...

Yep...

Just saw Fitzgerald's press conference on ABC7. Pretty damning and disgusting things they were saying about G-Rod. But come as it may- if he knew he was doing dirty deeds, he should have been more covert about it. Serves him right.

[NickD 202]

Corrupt IL politics? I'm shocked.

Maybe we can pool our money and buy obama's seat.

One of the reasons why I left IL, to come back to my mom's home state of WI, but feel that those crooked IL politicians followed me. Ten in jail already in the last couple of years, but with very light sentences, judges feel that getting them out of office is enough punishment and never heard anything about these guys giving back the money they took in bribes or whatever.

With a major investigation, can only wonder how many would end up in jail, starting from the top. But the smart ones that don't get caught lead the investigations, and if caught, are judged by judges they appointed or voted in. Or have something they know about those judges the judges would like to be left quiet.

[Peikko 1,575]

Oh, ok, the story is here, you can eliminate my thread Mod peoples.

What a complete ####### he is.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Apparently that guy has a 4% approval rating - lowest in the country.