Ill. Gov. Arrested For Trying To Sell Obama’s Senate Seat
Ill. Gov. Blagojevich has allegedly tried to sell/trade President-elect Obama’s vacant Senate seat for money and/or favors. He was caught on wiretap (didn’t he see HBO’s The Wire?) Don’t know why he thought he’d get away with it but here’s the story on the arrest.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested at their homes this morning in a probe involving the governor’s quest to fill Sen. Barack Obama’s Senate seat.
The charges also include alleged attempts by the governor to influence the Tribune editorial board.
The governor threatened that if the Tribune didn’t support the governor, he wouldn’t approve the sale of Wrigley Field.
The complaint contends Blagojevich threatened to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of Wrigley to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical of Blagojevich.
The governor is also accused of obtaining campaign contributions in exchange for official actions — both 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 paid corporate boards where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year.
- Promises of campaign funds — including cash up front.
Read the entire scandalous story by clicking here.
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