Blagojevich with Pres-elect Barack Hussein Obama & Chicago Mayor Daley
Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich was taken into custody by federal agents in Chicago on corruption charges this morning. As reported by the Chicago Tribune Blagojevich was attempting to sell Pres-elect Barack Hussein Obama’s U.S. Senate chair.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested by FBI agents on federal corruption charges Tuesday morning.
Blagojevich and Harris were arrested simultaneously at their homes at about 6:15 a.m., according to Frank Bochte of the FBI. Both were awakened in their residences and transported to FBI headquarters in Chicago.
In one charge related to the appointment of a senator to replace Barack Obama, prosecutors allege that Blagojevich sought appointment for himseld as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the new Obama administration, or a lucrative job with a union, in exchange for appointing a union-preferred candidate.
Another charge alleges Blagojevich and Harris conspired to demand the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members responsible for editorials critical of him in exchange for state help with the sale of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs baseball stadium owned by Tribune Co.
Blagojevich and Harris, along with others, obtained and sought to gain financial benefits for the governor, members of his family and his campaign fund in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state jobs and state contracts, according to the charges.
“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.”
Blagojevich is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan later today, according to Randall Samborn of the U.S. attorney’s office.
The Illinois Governor a day before charges were filed extolling his innocence and daring authorities to investigate him:
Among the Charges being made by the FBI (with more to come):
* 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.
t/b: Hot Air, Michelle Malkin
Col.Smeag & Right, this may be the first time
a president-elect has been questioned by fed-
eral prosecutors. We know he comes from one of the most corrupt political cities in the country. But couldn’t he at least wait until after the 20th? Does this bode well for the candidate who’s message was vague, who’s citizenship is enshrouded in mystery and cover-up, who’s associations are with radicals, who’s college years are in hiding, who’s ability to speak sans teleprompter is amusing & embarrassing, and who’s second autobiography, “The Audacity of Hope”, authorship is in question?
.
It seems Obamalot may be hampered in governing by all of his noteworthy characteristics. But the left is notoriously resilient for ignoring well placed shame, wisdom, character, logic, and the Constitutional limits in place to protect freedoms…. so it won’t be a total loss for them.
.
Maybe affirmative action at the presidential level does work after all.
Ricardo,
New Episode for the West Wing Comeback show:
Act I scene I: Newly elected President enters stage left: Followed by assorted hanger on, yes -men ,cronies, career politicians, future convicts.
enter stage right: FBI,Justice Dept, Impeachment, special prosecutor…
Is this the 90’s again?
Once again Col. you are Right on ! Life imitating art! Thinking back, I really used to like the show Boston Legal,until it turned into a platform for Bush bashing,with the only conservative (Denny Crane)suffering from mad cow.
Notice they took it off the air claiming it has run its course,(no new material) HA, They are to chicken shit to
cover the current events that are about to unfold during
this upcoming “joke” of an administration………….
Col., Ricardo, I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas,
and even a better new year !!!!
I got everythign I want for Christmas:
-Hamas being gifted from the heavens from the IAF
-An Inept Vice President -elect
-A clueless President elect
-A democrat lead congress with the lowest aproval raiting EVER
-The end of Global Warming
- and a Partidge in a pear tree.
Happy New Year everyone, 23 days and everything will CHANGE back to the Clinton White House.
Hey, even Clinton was a huge improvement over Bushie. But we’re counting on more than just Clinton.