more about “msnbc.com video: U.S. Atty. on the ar…“, posted with vodpod
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- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich – arrested today on charges of corruption, released on his own recognizance
- Illinois First Lady Patty Blagojevich - hardball political thug with a mouth like a sailor
- Blogojevich Chief of Staff John Harris - Blagojevich henchman-in-chief
- President-elect Barack Obama – former holder of Senate seat being “auctioned” by Blagojevich, close associate and supporter of Blagojevich
- Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel – possibly pulled the plug on the Senate for Sale Scandal when it got too close to President-elect Barack Obama
- Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett – Obama’s reported pick for his former Senate seat; removed from consideration shortly before scandal broke
- Chicago Tribune editorial board - responsible for editorials critical of Blagojevich. Blagojevich and Harris demanded their firing in exchange for state help with the sale of Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs baseball stadium owned by Tribune Co. (Tribune filed bankruptcy today.)
- U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald – Attorney filing suit against Blagojevich on behalf of the State of Illinois. 2008 Elliot Ness.
- Antoin Rezko, Stuart Levine, Ali Ata and others – Friends and allies of Rod Blagojevich (and some of Barack Obama.) Think “Legion of Doom.”
- Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky – claiming Governor Blagojevich will not step down and will appoint the next Illinois Senator.
VERY BRIEF SUMMARY OF CHARGES (timeline of charges here)
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.
- A cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.
- 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.
Twelve page USDOJ release is here.
