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Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
(snip)"A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich, a Democrat, was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois' U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining:
A substantial salary for himself at a either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions;
Placing 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; and
A cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.
Just last week, on December 4, Blagojevich allegedly told an advisor that he might "get some (money) up front, maybe" from Senate Candidate 5, if he named Senate Candidate 5 to the Senate seat, to insure that Senate Candidate 5 kept a promise about raising money for Blagojevich if he ran for re-election. In a recorded conversation on October 31, Blagojevich claimed he was approached by an associate of Senate Candidate 5 as follows: "We were approached 'pay to play.' That, you know, he'd raise 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator."
On November 7, while talking on the phone about the Senate seat with Harris and an advisor, Blagojevich said he needed to consider his family and that he is "financially" hurting, the affidavit states. Harris allegedly said that they were considering what would help the "financial security" of the Blagojevich family and what will keep Blagojevich "politically viable." Blagojevich stated, "I want to make money," adding later that he is interested in making $250,000 to $300,000 a year, the complaint alleges.
On November 10, in a lengthy telephone call with numerous advisors that included discussion about Blagojevich obtaining a lucrative job with a union-affiliated organization in exchange for appointing a particular Senate Candidate whom he believed was favored by the President-elect and which is described in more detail below, Blagojevich and others discussed various ways Blagojevich could "monetize" the relationships he has made as governor to make money after leaving that office.
"The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," Mr. Fitzgerald said. "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. The citizens of Illinois deserve public officials who act solely in the public's interest, without putting a price tag on government appointments, contracts and decisions," he added.
Mr. Grant said: "Many, including myself, thought that the recent conviction of a former governor would usher in a new era of honesty and reform in Illinois politics. Clearly, the charges announced today reveal that the office of the Governor has become nothing more than a vehicle for self-enrichment, unrestricted by party affiliation and taking Illinois politics to a new low."
Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Grant thanked the Chicago offices of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General for assisting in the ongoing investigation. The probe is part of Operation Board Games, a five-year-old public corruption investigation of pay-to-play schemes, including insider-dealing, influence-peddling and kickbacks involving private interests and public duties.
Federal agents today also executed search warrants at the offices of Friends of Blagojevich located at 4147 North Ravenswood, Suite 300.
Pay-to-Play Schemes:
The charges include historical allegations that Blagojevich and Harris schemed with others – including previously convicted defendants Antoin Rezko, Stuart Levine, Ali Ata and others – since becoming governor in 2002 to obtain and attempt to obtain financial benefits for himself, his family and third parties, including his campaign committee, Friends of Blagojevich, in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state employment, state contracts and access to state funds. A portion of the affidavit recounts the testimony of various witnesses at Rezko's trial earlier this year."(snip)
(snip)"Two days later, in a three-way call with Harris and Advisor B, a consultant in Washington, Blagojevich and the others allegedly discussed the prospect of a three-way deal for the Senate appointment involving an organization called "Change to Win," which is affiliated with various unions including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
On November 10, Blagojevich, his wife, Harris, Governor General Counsel, Advisor B and other Washington-based advisors participated at different times in a two-hour phone call in which they allegedly discussed, among other things, a deal involving the SEIU. Harris said they could work out a deal with the union and the President-elect where SEIU could help the President-elect with Blagojevich's appointment of Senate Candidate 1, while Blagojevich would obtain a position as the National Director of the Change to Win campaign and SEIU would get something favorable from the President-elect in the future. Also during that call, Blagojevich agreed it was unlikely that the President-elect would name him Secretary of Health and Human Services or give him an ambassadorship because of all of the negative publicity surrounding him. (snip)
and if that's not enough to draw attention ...
(snip)"A former Illinois bank official, now claiming whistleblower status, says bank officials replaced a loan reappraisal that he prepared for a Chicago property that was purchased by the wife of now-convicted felon Tony Rezko, part of which was later sold to next-door neighbor Barack Obama.
In a complaint filed Thursday in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Kenneth J. Connor said that his reappraisal of Rita Rezko's property was replaced with a higher one and that he was fired when he questioned the document.
Mr. Connor, a real estate and commercial credit analyst at the Mutual Bank Corp. in Chicago, also noted in the complaint that the bank received a grand jury subpoena in October 2006 requiring it to produce information concerning Mrs. Rezko's purchase, including the bank's files on the property.
The complaint also said that the grand jury wanted information on Mrs. Rezko's checking account and loan file and that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) had audited the Rezko file - although Mr. Connor's lower reappraisal had been replaced with a higher amount.
"Connor's internal whistle-blowing activity at Mutual Bank implicates Mutual Bank and the potentially guilty officers thereof to prosecution under federal and Illinois statutes," said the complaint, filed by attorney Glenn R. Gaffney.
The complaint said Mutual Bank officials could be guilty of making false statements, willfully overvaluing property, bank fraud, witness retaliation, willful violation of a lawful subpoena, FDIC violations, and state banking regulations.
Mr. Gaffney, contacted at his office, declined to elaborate but confirmed that the complaint had been filed.
"It says what it says," said Mr. Gaffney of Glendale Heights, Ill.
According to the complaint, Mr. Connor reviewed the appraisal of the Rezko property by another firm, Adams Appraisal, which had set the value at $625,000. Mr. Connor's complaint said that he told his bosses in a report that the property had been overvalued by at least $125,000 and that a "reasonable and fair evaluation" should have been no greater than $500,000.
Later, the complaint states, Mr. Connor observed that his lower appraisal was not in the Rezko file and that he notified his supervisors that it had been replaced. He said, according to the complaint, the new file had been reviewed by the FBI and "if the FBI were to ask me about such matters, I would tell them the truth. I never rescinded my original findings."
Critics of Mr. Obama's dealings with Rezko charge that the senator may have gotten a deal on his property purchase, noting that Mrs. Rezko paid the full asking price for her property on an adjacent lot. Both of which were sold by a single seller. Mr. Obama bought his house for $1.65 million - $300,000 below the asking price.
When the property was sold, Mr. Obama knew Rezko was under investigation on fraud charges. "(snip)
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
No. The crush the media has on him hasn't worn off, they won't even try and paint a picture of connection, if there even is one.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
this just keeps getting better and better ...
Patrick Fitzgerald, the special prosecutor behind this investigation - all of a sudden - calls off further investigation today despite earlier comments that 'a crime spree' exists. This is the same special prosecutor who kept the Valerie Plame case open for YEARS ( despite knowing the identity of the actual Plame leaker Richard Armitage ) until he was finally able to convict white house aide Scooter Libby of a 'process crime'
One of the potential choices for being appointed to Obama's vacant Illinois senate seat by Gov. Blogo, and reportedly the candidate who was Obama's own personal recommendation to fill his vacant senate seat, withdrew her name from the 'hat' mere hours prior to Governor Blogo's arrest.
Furthermore, Fitzgerald decided that it was necessary to make a public announcement proclaiming that Barack Obama is not suspected of having any involvement in this 'crime spree' involving his old senate seat.
Of course, as always, these are pure coincidences !
But for whatever it's worth, a reporter for the Chicago Fox News affiliate has 'leaked' that Gov. Blogo had previously contacted Rahm Emanuel in regard to a quid-pro-quo with Obama ! This is of course the same Rahm Emanuel who, as part of the Obama transition team, was made aware of US Dept of Justice active investigations (including this one) within just the past couple of weeks !
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
As someone who worked in Illinois politics, it's been known Blago is corrupt for many years. He's not the only one. Many other politicians have paid off people to get jobs for relatives, held political fundraisers with hookers, and so much more. It's a problem with both parties. The corruption is partly why I was laid off, but I don't care.
I do not think this will affect Obama, at least what I've seen/heard. Believe it or not, not all Chicago politicians are part of the "machine". I've heard from several sources that Obama has never liked Blago.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Axelrod is shrewd and got him elected but I bet Obama would love to throw him under the bus also. Axelrods after the fact retraction of his comment that O had in fact talked to the Illinois governor about the senatorial choice is lame. I mean, Axelrod has controlled every word out of the president-elects mouth from day one so to say oh I was mistaken is laughable.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081210/...governor_obama
I have to admit I didn't expect the MSM to chomp on O's ass so soon. It's probably because he has moved away from the left and toward the center at least in his cabinet choices and recent public pronouncements.
FBR
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Yea! He's finally going to join his predecessor, Ryan, in jail. (Hopefully)
Obama said that the people of Illinois were sobered and saddened by this arrest. I personally was elated. I called close to ten people just because I couldn't contain myself. There have been VERY strong suspicions of such activity for as long as he has held the office. Petty I know, but just the fact that he refuses to live in the Governor’s mansion, upsets me. The state capitol is in Springfield, IL. It makes it obvious that he is in office for Chicago, not for the people of Illinois. There is significantly less support from the government in central and downstate Illinois.
Anyway sorry about the long rant, just had to get it out.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Quote:
I have to admit I didn't expect the MSM to chomp on O's ass so soon. It's probably because he has moved away from the left and toward the center at least in his cabinet choices and recent public pronouncements.
I have seen a few reports on this possibility i.e. far left Obama supporters (with certain MSM supporters among them) becoming very concerned that Obama has 'lied' to them about an entire host of 'left-wing' measures, from (not) pulling US troops out of the middle east to (not) raising taxes on the 'rich' to appointing relative 'hawks' in positions of foreign policy. Of course now that many MSM outlets are experiencing financial difficulties ... and by sheer coincidence many of those troubled MSM outlets would also appear to have liberal editorial policies ... Obama is not likely to experience as much backlash.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
and we also find out the details of Obama aide Axelrod having 'changed his story' to cover Obamas' butt ...
from (snip)"While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a "kingmaker," Axelrod said, "I know he's talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them."(snip)
to (snip)"Axelrod this evening issued a statement saying. "I was mistaken when I told an interviewer last month that the President-elect has spoken directly to Governor Blagojevich about the Senate vacancy. They did not then or at any time discuss the subject."(snip)
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
and yet more details as to the identity of 'Candidate #5)
(snip)"ABC News has a law enforcement source telling them that Jesse Jackson, Jr. is "Senate Candidate Five," the one who was -- according to Blagojevich -- willing to supply campaign cash in exchange for the Senate seat.
(This, incidentally, doesn't strike me as all that unusual in politics, or as obviously criminal as other things in the complaint -- though the crudeness with which Blagojevich discussed it was.)
ABC reports:
Jackson Jr. said "I don't know" when asked if he was Candidate #5, but said he was told "I am not a target of this investigation."
Jackson Jr. said he agreed to talk with federal investigators "as quickly as possible" after he consults with a lawyer.
The Congressman, a son of the famed civil rights leader, denied that anyone had been authorized to make payments or promises to the Governor on his behalf.
"It is impossible for someone on my behalf to have a conversation that would suggest any type of quid pro quo or any payments or offers," Jackson Jr. told ABC News. "An impossiblity to an absolute certainty." "(snip)
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Yet again people are using this to bash Obama. I get it, some people don't like Obama. Using this terrible issue as a reason to blame Obama is very misinformed. Blago is a jerk. The last governor (who was a REPUBLICAN) also did this. Maybe I should blame George W Bush for Ryan. Then again I've worked in government agencies, and political campaigns, and know how it works. So far I don't see any reason to believe Obama was involved. I've even asked another source who also doesn't believe Obama is involved. I'll believe Obama is connected when I hear from a valid source (and no, FOX, Limbaugh and Hannity aren't valid).
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
^^^ ah yes, but this time is formerly 'friendly' mainstream media who is doing the bashing ...
for example ...
(snip)"Questionable associations of Obama
By The Associated Press – 16 hours ago
In his life and career in Illinois, President-elect Barack Obama has crossed paths with some notable figures who have drawn scorn and scrutiny. Among them:
GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH (snip)
ANTOIN REZKO(snip)
JEREMIAH WRIGHT(snip)
WILLIAM AYERS(snip)
EMIL JONES(snip)
RASHID KHALIDI(snip)
MICHAEL PFLEGER(snip)
from
Of course, if the AP had run such a story before the election, we might have a different president-elect !
Conservative media is a bit more poignant ...
(snip)"No doubt over the next few days many aspects of this story will be fleshed out. We will almost certainly be treated to some fancy footwork by the Obama team as they seek to avoid the appearance that anyone connected with the new president came within a country mile of Blagojevich. That may be difficult to do what with the taped conversation between the governor and "Advisor B" and unanswered questions about whether Obama actually discussed the appointment of a new senator with the governor or not.
Obama said in his statement he had no contact with Blagojevich. Unfortunately for the new president, his top aide David Axelrod told Fox News on November 23 that Obama had indeed talked with Blagojevich about the senate seat. The transition has since released a statement saying that Axelrod "misspoke" on November 23.
And I have a bridge over the Chicago River you can have for a song if you believe that one.
The chances are very good that prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is far from finished."(snip)
from
~
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
If the media was actually doing their job, (watch dogs of government) we would have had different politicians all around vying for the White House.
What is the Main Stream Media (MSM) going to do? I suspect nothing much, after they campaigned for the President elect.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Yes, most of those are weird people, but I don't see a connection between Wright, Pfleger and Blago. That's called grasping for straws and really kind of silly. So going by that logic, I guess I can blame George W Bush for Ryan's corruption. Besides, if the media is still going to talk about Wright, then they need to talk about the sexist Hagee. Neither are important to talk about. I'm sure ALL of us have connections with someone notorious. Maybe the media needs to talk about the evil people Bush had a connection with. To me that's the same thing as bringing up Obama's "connections" (some are very loose connections).
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
^^^ the REAL question is whether or not (former) special prosecutor Fitzgerald will show equal tenacity in regard to 'process' crimes being committed by democrats involved with Gov. Blago as he did in regard to 'process' crimes being committed by Bush White House aides !!! ??? For instance, Obama lying about not having discussions with the good Governor about appointing a successor for his vacated senate seat. Scooter Libby got years in the slammer for such an offense ... and Fitzgerald has 299 hours worth of wiretap tapes that have yet to be released.
In truth, I suspect that as a good Democrat Fitzgerald will drop this investigation pronto.
Quote:
I can blame George W Bush for Ryan's corruption
last time I checked, Bush and Ryan never managed each other's campaigns, never solicited political donations for each other ... and of course Ryan wasn't in a position of appointing Bush's replacement when he became president !
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Fitzgerald is good. I don't think he'll drop going after Blago, nor should he. However, the whole Scooter Libby thing was far more serious. That was dealing with treason, which can be a death penalty crime. Yes, outing a CIA agent can be considered treason. What Blago did can get him up to 30 years.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
as to Fitzgerald and Scooter Libby, Fitzgerald already KNEW who the leaker was (Richard Armitage) before he ever latched on to Scooter Libby ! Thus in reality there was no motivation whatsoever to plug the leak ... instead the motivation was to hand the White House a public relations black eye by whatever means necessary.
In the present circumstance, the Machiavellian conspiracy theorists are definitely wondering why Fitzgerald chose to blow open the investigation at this particular point in time. Ostensibly it was to prevent Gov. Blago from making the senate appointment. However, an equally valid speculation is that the investigation was at risk of uncovering Obama involvement that would have been extremely damaging. And then the Machiavellians must ask WHO would most benefit from having the Illinois senate seat put up for a special election instead of a gubernatorial appointment (meaning that a Chicago democrat would not be guaranteed to wind up holding that senate seat), and who would benefit from Obama being on the defensive.
As others have often pointed out, NEVER count out the Clintons !
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Which was a good thing. What Libby and the others did was criminal. It put the CIA agent at risk. It should have been outed much earlier.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Quote:
What Libby and the others did was criminal. It put the CIA agent at risk
my point was to remind everyone that Scooter Libby did NOT put a CIA agent at risk. The leak actually came from Richard Armitage ... a fact that Fitzgerald knew very early on in the investigation. What Libby went to jail for was a 'process' crime i.e. telling one federal agent one thing at one time, and telling a different federal agent something else at a different time. In other words, doing exactly the same thing that Axelrod just did in regard to his story about Obama / Blago discussions !!!
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kellydancer
Which was a good thing. What Libby and the others did was criminal. It put the CIA agent at risk. It should have been outed much earlier.
http://www.nationalreview.com/mccart...0507180801.asp
And Plume had a history of telling people at parties, etc. of her CIA status.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
glambman
And Plume had a history of telling people at parties, etc. of her CIA status.
National Review is right-wing biased at best.
Might you have a less partisan source for this?
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Melonie
my point was to remind everyone that Scooter Libby did NOT put a CIA agent at risk. The leak actually came from Richard Armitage ... a fact that Fitzgerald knew very early on in the investigation. What Libby went to jail for was a 'process' crime i.e. telling one federal agent one thing at one time, and telling a different federal agent something else at a different time. In other words, doing exactly the same thing that Axelrod just did in regard to his story about Obama / Blago discussions !!!
The Axelrod thing is hearsay until I hear from a reliable source. Even so, even connected to outing a CIA is far more dangerous than this. This doesn't affect someone's life like outing a CIA agent does.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Lucy in the Sky
National Review is right-wing biased at best.
Might you have a less partisan source for this?
Exactly. This is like someone using Rush Limbaugh as a source. People are trying to blame Obama for everything that goes on in Illinois and it's silly and misinformed. I wouldn't have said anything, but I've worked in Cook County government and really hate misinformation. Sure, Cook County government is corrupt. However, there are people against the corruption.
Btw, most of those in Illinois do not like Blagojevich. It's been known for sometime that Obama doesn't like him, nor does the Illinois Attorney General (Lisa Madigan) or even his Lt Gov (Pat Quinn). That may not be in the papers (many of the rivalries are never reported), but it's a very known fact.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
The rumormongering and hate displayed here is pathetic.
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Re: Well, the Illinois Governor is 'toast' ... but will fallout land on Obama ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dlabtot
The rumormongering and hate displayed here is pathetic.
Unless of course it's applied to Bush or McCain or Palin or anyone not named Obama, because that's ok.