[Swiftwater Gazette] Blagojevich indicted on federal corruption charges

[Bill Effros]

Brad,

Note they just let Stevens go for doing exactly the same stuff Obama 
did, on the basis of "prosecutorial misconduct".

They are circling the wagons around the Big O.

Will they dare say Fitz is guilty of prosecutorial misconduct?

These guys really play hardball, and since they got away with it so 
easily on Stevens, we can expect to see it again.  The only difference 
is that Fitz is a much better prosecutor than the woman in Alaska who 
kept making sloppy errors all the way through the procedings.

B.



Blagojevich indicted on federal corruption charges
    

 
Apr 2, 7:03 PM (ET)

 

CHICAGO (AP) - Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and five others were 
indicted Thursday on charges of scheming to auction off President Barack 
Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat, pressuring a congressman for campaign 
money and lying to FBI agents. The 19-count  alleges Blagojevich and his 
aides discussed the possibility he could get a Cabinet post in the new 
president's administration, substantial fundraising assistance or a 
high-paying job in exchange for the Senate seat.

Obama's Deputy Press Secretary, Josh Earnest, said the White House would 
not comment.

The indictment also charged that Blagojevich was involved in a corrupt 
scheme to get a massive kickback in exchange for the refinancing of 
billions of dollars in state pension funds. It said he took part in a 
plan with convicted political fixer Antoin "Tony" Rezko and two others 
to make money while Blagojevich was governor, then split the profits 
after he left the office.

Blagojevich, 52, and others are accused of illegally pressuring an 
Illinois congressman for help in raising funds and lying when FBI agents 
came to question him.


 
 
His publicist, Glenn Selig, said a statement would be issued shortly.


Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on a , and U.S. Attorney Patrick J. 
Fitzgerald had faced a Tuesday deadline to supplant it with an 
indictment from a .

The Democrat's arrest meant curtains for his political career: The 
Illinois House impeached him Jan. 9, and the Senate convicted him and 
removed him from office Jan. 29.

Others charged in the indictment include the former governor's brother, 
Robert Blagojevich, one-time chief fundraiser Christopher G. Kelly, 
former aide Lon Monk, Springfield lobbyist-millionaire William F. 
Cellini and former chief of staff John .

Prosecutors said Harris has agreed to cooperate in the case.

Blagojevich's administration has been under federal investigation for 
years. Kelly and Rezko already have been convicted of federal crimes and 
are facing prison.

The former governor's wife, Patti, had been mentioned prominently in the 
complaint and was the focus of considerable speculation, but she was not 
charged in the indictment.