Democratic Illinois Governor Arrested For “Corruption Crime Spree”
December 9, 2008 / 2:56 pm • By Dr. Melissa ClouthierMoney, power, unions, intimidation all contributed to what U.S. Prosecutor Fitzgerald called a “corruption crime spree”. Interesting. I thought the era of corruption was over, you know with Democrats in charge everywhere. A comprehensive article written by Natasha Korecki of the Chicago Sun Times is worth reading in its entirety:
Fitzgerald described the situation by saying: “We were in the middle of a corruption crime spree and we wanted to stop it.”
The complaint contends Blagojevich, a Democrat, threatened to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Co. in connection with the sale of Wrigley to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of Blagojevich.
The governor is also accused of obtaining campaign contributions in exchange for official actions — in the past and recently in a push before a new state ethics law takes effect Jan. 1.
Blagojevich, 51, and Harris, 46, both of Chicago, are each charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. They were charged in a two-count criminal complaint that was sworn out on Sunday and unsealed today following their arrests, which occurred without incident, the feds said.
A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat vacated by Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife.
At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich allegedly 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 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.
On Dec. 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.
Fitzgerald clarified that Obama wasn’t connected. Huh. Time will tell. It was only Obama’s Senate seat that was being haggled over, after all. How would he possibly be involved?
More unfair guilt by association, no doubt. I’m guessing there will be lots more of that. And remember, the press refused to engage Obama about all this before the election. This is likely the first you’ve heard of it if your main news source is the mainstream media. Won’t be the last. Will Americans feel betrayed or will they want it to all go away?
