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Subrosa

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA
July 2004

DEC 09, 2008 07:03 AM

No link yet, just saw it breaking on CNN.com. This is for the corruption charges that have been bandied about regarding him for a while.

r00kers

r00kers

Nederland, CO
February 2003

DEC 09, 2008 07:06 AM

Definitely been arrested. It's been coming for a while, the feds just wanted to have a pretty solid case against him. Illinois politics have always been entertaining at least.

Subrosa

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA
July 2004

DEC 09, 2008 07:37 AM

Oh wow. Apparently the charges are for recent actions surrounding his ability to appoint Obama's successor.

CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges of conspiring to get financial benefits through his authority to appoint a U.S. senator to fill the vacancy left by Barack Obama's election as president.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

The affidavit said Blagojevich discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

It said Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office.

"I want to make money," the affidavit quotes him as saying in one conversation.


Yow. If these allegations are true, this guy is a grade-a moron.

Stiles

Stiles

Oakland, CA
November 2002

DEC 09, 2008 07:43 AM

NYT article


As Mr. Blagojevich mulled the Senate appointment, prosecutors say, he discussed gaining “a substantial salary” at a nonprofit foundation or organization connected to labor unions, placing his wife on corporate boards where she might earn as much as $150,000 a year and trying to gain promises of campaign money, or even a cabinet post or ambassadorship, for himself.

A 76-page affidavit from the United States Attorney’s office in Northern Illinois says Mr. Blagojevich was heard on wiretaps over the last month planning to “sell or trade Illinois’ United States Senate seat vacated by Pres-elect Barack Obama for financial and personal benefits for himself and his wife.”

Federal authorities said Mr. Blagojevich’s chief of staff, John Harris, was also indicted on Tuesday. Both men are expected to appear in federal court for the first time later Tuesday.

Quirky

Quirky

Birmingham, AL
October 2005

DEC 09, 2008 07:47 AM

Subrosa said:
Oh wow. Apparently the charges are for recent actions surrounding his ability to appoint Obama's successor.

CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges of conspiring to get financial benefits through his authority to appoint a U.S. senator to fill the vacancy left by Barack Obama's election as president.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

The affidavit said Blagojevich discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

It said Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office.

"I want to make money," the affidavit quotes him as saying in one conversation.


Yow. If these allegations are true, this guy is a grade-a moron.



His hairstyle should have tipped you off to that.
[IMG|213x254]http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081209/capt.366d08fcd7c64f86a44250f46405670d.blagojevich_corruption_probe__ny113.jpg?x=213&y=254&xc=1&yc=1&wc=344&hc=410&q=100&sig=zlWPQlPMDmgFoaelUKX.TQ--[/IMG]

Stiles

Stiles

Oakland, CA
November 2002

DEC 09, 2008 10:12 AM

Cue the usual-suspect right wing trolls desperately trying to tie Obama into this...

phroggmoulis

phroggmoulis

Greenville, SC
December 2008

DEC 09, 2008 12:01 PM

MisterEnrolled said:

Subrosa said:
Oh wow. Apparently the charges are for recent actions surrounding his ability to appoint Obama's successor.

CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges of conspiring to get financial benefits through his authority to appoint a U.S. senator to fill the vacancy left by Barack Obama's election as president.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

The affidavit said Blagojevich discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

It said Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office.

"I want to make money," the affidavit quotes him as saying in one conversation.


Yow. If these allegations are true, this guy is a grade-a moron.



His hairstyle should have tipped you off to that.
[IMG|213x254]http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081209/capt.366d08fcd7c64f86a44250f46405670d.blagojevich_corruption_probe__ny113.jpg?x=213&y=254&xc=1&yc=1&wc=344&hc=410&q=100&sig=zlWPQlPMDmgFoaelUKX.TQ--[/IMG]



I can see moran and looser written all over that face - except it's hard to read through the bangs.

FridgeMagnet

FridgeMagnet

Chicago, IL
November 2004

DEC 09, 2008 12:06 PM

Subrosa said:
Oh wow. Apparently the charges are for recent actions surrounding his ability to appoint Obama's successor.

CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges of conspiring to get financial benefits through his authority to appoint a U.S. senator to fill the vacancy left by Barack Obama's election as president.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

The affidavit said Blagojevich discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

It said Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office.

"I want to make money," the affidavit quotes him as saying in one conversation.


Yow. If these allegations are true, this guy is a grade-a moron.



In February of last year, a guy who knew him referred to him as a sociopath. The characterization was widely dismissed as hyperbole.

FridgeMagnet

FridgeMagnet

Chicago, IL
November 2004

DEC 09, 2008 12:07 PM

Stiles said:
Cue the usual-suspect right wing trolls desperately trying to tie Obama into this...



Cue the defensive Dems who will try to turn this into a partisan issue instead of spewing the amount of venom and outrage they would if the asshole happened to be a Republican.

Stiles

Stiles

Oakland, CA
November 2002

DEC 09, 2008 12:40 PM

FridgeMagnet said:

Stiles said:
Cue the usual-suspect right wing trolls desperately trying to tie Obama into this...



Cue the defensive Dems who will try to turn this into a partisan issue instead of spewing the amount of venom and outrage they would if the asshole happened to be a Republican.




You're the only one getting defensive. Why is that?

Newsflash: nobody here (or anywhere else I've seen) is defending this guy or his actions. Subrosa started the thread and I linked to another good story on it, not the GOP trolls.

Take your partisan cries elsewhere.

RaphaelAdidas

RaphaelAdidas

I'm lost
November 2003

DEC 09, 2008 01:18 PM

Stiles said:
Cue the usual-suspect right wing trolls desperately trying to tie Obama into this...



The prosecutor has already released information that pretty obviously shows Obama had nothing to do with this shit (such as Blagojevich referring to Obama as a n***** when B. didn't get what he wanted from Obama).

With all the corrupt politicians exposed over the years, it's still amazing how much of a tremendous, tremendous scumbag Blagojevich is.

fountainofdreams

fountainofdreams

Batavia, IL
January 2005

DEC 09, 2008 01:54 PM

Not at all surprised at this happening. Blagojevich is a grade-A douchebag.

Quella

Quella

USA
July 2008

DEC 09, 2008 03:57 PM

It's simply stunning, if true, that he was already under Federal investigation and yet carried on with this level of corruption, AND in such a bold manner. shocked

SockPuppet

SockPuppet

I'm lost
July 2006

DEC 09, 2008 04:18 PM

Being not an American, I'm rather surprised at the way this has been reported, with the FBI apparently releasing tape of Senator Blagojevich to the media. Doesn't that prejudice any trial he might get?

Colinism

Colinism

Atlanta, GA
July 2005

DEC 09, 2008 04:33 PM

SockPuppet said:
Being not an American, I'm rather surprised at the way this has been reported, with the FBI apparently releasing tape of Senator Blagojevich to the media. Doesn't that prejudice any trial he might get?



Because of who he is and the nature of the crimes they might use a different trial structure all together perhaps? I honestly don't know.

Katieesq

Katieesq

USA
June 2008

DEC 09, 2008 04:42 PM

QFT to fountainofdreams and quella. I really can't fucking believe this guy.

_kungfoo_

_kungfoo_

Los Angeles, CA
April 2005

DEC 09, 2008 05:32 PM

What a fucking moron.

Subrosa

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA
July 2004

DEC 09, 2008 06:16 PM

Wonkette's summary of the indictment is an absolute must read and absolutely staggering in the audacity and sliminess there. For once, they don't have to make up salacious details to make it look incredible.

Normal "innocent until proven guilty" caveats apply, of course, but holy fuck this guy is an absolute psychopath. Like, the level of self-delusion it must take to undertake in this WHILE KNOWINGLY UNDER INVESTIGATION is just unbelievable.

Stiles

Stiles

Oakland, CA
November 2002

DEC 09, 2008 06:19 PM

SockPuppet said:
Being not an American, I'm rather surprised at the way this has been reported, with the FBI apparently releasing tape of Senator Blagojevich to the media. Doesn't that prejudice any trial he might get?



Maybe. High profile public figures are sometimes tried in different jurisdictions in order to guard against prejudiced juries. Since he's facing federal charges, they may move the trial to a different federal court, like Philadelphia, Detroit or New York.

Katieesq

Katieesq

USA
June 2008

DEC 09, 2008 06:21 PM

Stiles said:

SockPuppet said:
Being not an American, I'm rather surprised at the way this has been reported, with the FBI apparently releasing tape of Senator Blagojevich to the media. Doesn't that prejudice any trial he might get?



Maybe. High profile public figures are sometimes tried in different jurisdictions in order to guard against prejudiced juries. Since he's facing federal charges, they may move the trial to a different federal court, like Philadelphia, Detroit or New York.



Blagojevich is on the cover of the New York Times right now, so they're going to have to take this somewhere where they don't get that paper.

Anchorage?

Subrosa

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA
July 2004

DEC 09, 2008 06:25 PM

Katieesq said:

Stiles said:

SockPuppet said:
Being not an American, I'm rather surprised at the way this has been reported, with the FBI apparently releasing tape of Senator Blagojevich to the media. Doesn't that prejudice any trial he might get?



Maybe. High profile public figures are sometimes tried in different jurisdictions in order to guard against prejudiced juries. Since he's facing federal charges, they may move the trial to a different federal court, like Philadelphia, Detroit or New York.



Blagojevich is on the cover of the New York Times right now, so they're going to have to take this somewhere where they don't get that paper.

Anchorage?



They don't need to find jurors who have never heard of Blaggy or the case. They need to find jurors who haven't been prejudiced. There's a difference. Now, it's not going to be easy, obviously, but those people are out there.

My guess about the reason why they've released the tape is that they're hoping this never goes to trial.

Stiles

Stiles

Oakland, CA
November 2002

DEC 09, 2008 06:27 PM

Subrosa said:
Wonkette's summary of the indictment is an absolute must read and absolutely staggering in the audacity and sliminess there. For once, they don't have to make up salacious details to make it look incredible.



Wow. The dialogue is surreal, it's so far off the wall.

SignalNoise

SignalNoise

USA
February 2004

DEC 09, 2008 06:30 PM

FridgeMagnet said:

Stiles said:
Cue the usual-suspect right wing trolls desperately trying to tie Obama into this...



Cue the defensive Dems who will try to turn this into a partisan issue instead of spewing the amount of venom and outrage they would if the asshole happened to be a Republican.



As an Illinois Democrat, I'm glad he was arrested, so I don't have to worry about deciding between voting for this douche next time he ran versus some Republican asshole. I *hate* Blago (or G-Rod, as I also like to think of him).

Stiles

Stiles

Oakland, CA
November 2002

DEC 09, 2008 06:31 PM

Subrosa said:

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

Katieesq said:

Stiles said:

SockPuppet said:
Being not an American, I'm rather surprised at the way this has been reported, with the FBI apparently releasing tape of Senator Blagojevich to the media. Doesn't that prejudice any trial he might get?



Maybe. High profile public figures are sometimes tried in different jurisdictions in order to guard against prejudiced juries. Since he's facing federal charges, they may move the trial to a different federal court, like Philadelphia, Detroit or New York.



Blagojevich is on the cover of the New York Times right now, so they're going to have to take this somewhere where they don't get that paper.


Anchorage?



They don't need to find jurors who have never heard of Blaggy or the case. They need to find jurors who haven't been prejudiced. There's a difference. Now, it's not going to be easy, obviously, but those people are out there.

My guess about the reason why they've released the tape is that they're hoping this never goes to trial.



Yep. The standard jury question basically asks if the potential juror can render an unbiased decision based on testimony presented. Jurors need not have lived in a cave for years. Jurors like that will be a lot easier to find in L.A. or Philly than Chicago, since Blaggy had an approval rate of 4% in Illinois *before* this indictment hit.

DannyDMc

DannyDMc

Fargo, ND
July 2003

DEC 09, 2008 07:05 PM


Good GOD this man is stupid. If your already under investigation for previous wrong-doings, WHY would you try to sell one of the most prominent Senate seats in the nation right now?

to quote Olberman "IS this guy the craziest SOB out there, or just dumb?"

Personally, I'm glad the FBI got him, corruption of any kind should, and should not, be tolerated in this country. I hope they throw the SOB to the wolves.

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