CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
– LEGAL AFFAIRS
Updated Dec. 9, 2008 – 4:38 p.m.
Illinois Governor Accused of Trying to Sell Senate Appointment
By Keith Perine and Edward Epstein, CQ Staff
Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and his chief of staff Tuesday, accusing them of attempting to sell the appointment to fill President-elect Barack Obama ’s Senate seat.
Blagojevich, a Democrat, and aide John Harris were charged with soliciting bribes and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. They also are accused of trying to blackmail the Chicago Tribune newspaper and exchange official actions for campaign contributions.
Both later appeared before a federal magistrate judge in Chicago and were released on bond.
A criminal complaint and 76-page affidavit detail what U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called “a political corruption crime spree” spanning years of “pay to play” conduct that accelerated in recent months in advance of a new state ethics law scheduled to take effect Jan. 1.
The affidavit says Blagojevich was overheard trying to sell or trade Obama’s Senate seat in exchange for money or other considerations for himself and his wife. Blagojevich discussed securing a job with a high salary at a nonprofit foundation or a union-affiliated organization, places for his wife on corporate boards, campaign funds, a Cabinet position or an ambassadorship. He had hoped Obama would help him secure a position, and was overheard discussing ways of putting pressure on the president-elect to obtain what he wanted in exchange for appointing a favored candidate, described as “Senate Candidate No. 1” to his seat, the affidavit said.
Blagojevich also was overheard mulling the option of naming himself to the Senate seat, in part to position himself against impeachment or an indictment.
“Their conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave,” Fitzgerald said.
He said the complaint “makes no allegations about the president-elect or his conduct.”
Obama said, “I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening. ... It is a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”
Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan chided Obama for not denouncing Blagojevich more forcefully.
“Leaders of both political parties have a responsibility to clearly condemn the actions by Governor Rod Blagojevich as alleged by federal prosecutors today.,” he said.
“Americans expect strong leadership, but President-elect Barack Obama ’s comments on the matter are insufficient at best.”
Details of the Charges
Illinois Governor Accused of Trying to Sell Senate Appointment
According to the affidavit, Blagojevich had hoped, among other things, to use the Senate appointment as leverage to become Health and Human Services secretary in the Obama administration, a post already given to former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.
“I’ve got this thing and it’s [expletive] golden and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for [expletive] nothing. I’m not gonna do it. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me in there,” the wiretaps picked up Blagojevich saying Nov. 5, the day after the election, according to the affidavit.
Blagojevich and Harris also are accused of trying to force the Tribune Co., which owns the Chicago Tribune, to fire members of the newspaper’s editorial board — which had been critical of Blagojevich — in exchange for state assistance in securing financing for the sale of the Wrigley Field baseball stadium.
The governor’s administration has been under federal investigation since 2003 as part of “Operation Board Game,” a probe of public corruption in Illinois. The affidavit accuses Blagojevich of conspiring since 2002 to corruptly trade the powers of his office for personal and financial gain.
Blagojevich and Harris obtained and attempted to obtain financial benefits for the governor, members of his family, his campaign committee and others in exchange for appointments to state offices and access to state funds, the affidavit says. Those efforts accelerated in recent months as the ethics law’s restrictions loomed, it says.
The FBI bugged the offices of Blagojevich’s campaign committee Oct. 22, and began tapping his home phone Oct. 29.
The arrest drew calls for Blagojevich’s immediate resignation from Democratic Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn, who called on him to “step aside.”
“The governor knows what he needs to do on behalf of the people,” Quinn said, calling on Blagojevich to do “the right thing.”
Rep. Jan Schakowsky , D-Ill., also demanded Blagojevich resign.
“If he does not resign, the state legislature should reconvene for a special session immediately and begin impeachment proceedings,” she said, adding that she has asked legislative leaders to call a special session.
The Illinois legislature is currently not in session. The presiding officers of both chambers can call a special session to consider impeachment if the governor will not do so.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid , D-Nev., said Blagojevich should have no role in selecting Obama’s replacement.
“The charges against Governor Blagojevich are appalling and represent as serious a breach of the public trust as I have ever heard,” Reid said. “It is clear that anyone Governor Blagojevich appoints to the Senate will fairly or unfairly be tainted by questions of impropriety.”
Illinois Governor Accused of Trying to Sell Senate Appointment
History of Corruption
Blagojevich is the fifth of the last nine Illinois governors to face federal charges. Four were convicted and went to prison. One was acquitted.
The legal problems of the sitting governor, a former House member from Chicago and the son-in-law of a prominent Chicago alderman, are sure to feed the image of Chicago and Illinois as the home of corrupt politicians from both parties.
Blagojevich’s predecessor, Republican George Ryan, is now in federal prison serving a 6 1/2-year sentence after his conviction on charges of racketeering, bribery, extortion, money laundering and tax fraud.
Back in the 1970s, Democrat Gov. Dan Walker was convicted on charges involving fraudulent loans from a savings and loan. Those offenses took place after he left office.
Before him, Democratic Gov. Otto Kerner went to prison in a bribery scandal involving granting racing days to horse race tracks. Kerner’s predecessor, William G. Stratton, was acquitted on charges of income-tax evasion in 1965. He had lost a bid for a third term to Kerner in 1960.
“If it isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States it’s certainly one hell of a competitor,” FBI Special Agent Robert D. Grant said of Illinois.
David Nather, Jonathan Allen and Catharine Richert contributed to this story.
First posted Dec. 9, 2008 10:37 a.m.
Comments
I 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
What did Obama and Rahm Emanuel know and WHEN did they know it??? Is there anybody in the press (i.e. Democratic Party Propaganda Bureau) that has the BALLS or integrity to ask this question? I know I'm only a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
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