Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested early Tuesday morning on charges that he had conspired to profit from Barack Obamas recent presidential election,
among other charges. Hes being held in custody with his chief of staff, John Harris, who faces similar charges.
A news briefing held by U.S. Attorney General Patrick Fitzgerald and the FBIs Robert Grant was held today at 12 pm EST to discuss their investigation and findings. Fitzgerald said today was a sad day for Illinois government, calling Blagojevichs actions a political corruption crime spree.
According to Fitzgerald there have been investigations looking into pay-to-play conduct and corruption on Blagojevichs part since as early as 2003, so it's
not likely that Blagojevich's moves were made in response to the recession. Ironically, an Ethics in Government Act barring certain contributions from people doing business with the state of Illinois was set to go into effect as early as the first day of 2009. The impending measure seems to have had little effect in curtailing Blagojevichs unethical, illegal ways.
After Fitzgerald and Grant were made privy to a series of pay-to-play schemes run by the Illinois democratic administration, they decided an investigation was necessary. Their findings have proven that Blagojevichs deviances extend much farther than what theyd originally expected.
Federal prosecutors have said both Blagojevich and Harris had plans to essentially sell off Obamas soon-to-be vacant senate seat. Fitzgerald noted that Blagojevich had, in presumed confidence, called the seat a valuable thing. You dont just give it away.
Ive got this thing and its ----ing golden.
According to
Illinois State law, a vacancy left in the senate is to be filled at the discretion of the governor. Blagojevichs mistake was that he thought he could turn a profit off the opportunity to appoint someone of choice to Obamas senate seat, which the president-elect still had 2 years left to fill in his 6-year term. According to Fitzgerald, Blagojevich had plans to profit in multiple ways through the scam.
Blagojevich intended to obtain for himself a substantial salary at either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.
He then allegedly sought to place his wife in a paid position on a corporate board, a distinction that would earn her as much as $150,000 a year as a board director.
Blagojevich also allegedly sought promises of campaign funds from potential suitors, a deal that would have included a significant portion of cash given to the Illinois governor up front.
Its reported that Blagojevich was also looking to get fitted for a Cabinet post or ambassadorship in the Obama administration.
In addition, the second-termed governor has been accused of
withholding state assistance to the Tribune Company, the recently bankrupt organization that runs the Chicago Cubs in addition to the Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun and Los Angeles Times, in an effort to bring on the firing of a number of Chicago Tribune editorial board members who had publically expressed disapproval with Blagojevich. Allegedly, Blagojevich had refused to aid the Tribune Company in building a replacement for the iconic Wrigley Field if they didnt fire the aforesaid editorial board members.
Hes also been accused of planning to pull $8 million in funding from the development of a childrens hospital after the hospitals CEO neglected to give the governors campaign a $50,000 contribution.
Expect Illinois government to undergo a serious clean-up in the coming months after the headline grabbing scandal. The Midwestern state has a checkered history of political fraud, including the April 2006 conviction of former governor George Ryan on racketeering and fraud charges, and the FBIs Grant has called Illinois one hell of a competitor for the distinction of being the most corrupt state in the United States. Hes indicated that Blagojevichs Tuesday arrest should signify that business as usual will no longer be tolerated in the state of Illinois, adding that selling your office for personal gain is a thing of the past.
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