Illinois Governor Arrested...

[icehog3]

About time too, he has been known as a friggin' crook from the time he took office.....

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.

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement that "the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering."

"They allege that Blagojevich put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States senator," Fitzgerald said."

Among those being considered for the post include U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Jesse Jackson Jr.

Blagojevich also was charged with using his authority as governor in an attempt to squeeze out campaign contributions.

His chief of staff, John Harris, also was arrested.

Corruption in the Blagojevich administration has been the focus of a federal investigation involving an alleged $7 million scheme aimed at squeezing kickbacks out of companies seeking business from the state. Federal prosecutors have acknowledged they're also investigating "serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" under Blagojevich.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081209/ap_on_re_us/blagojevich_corruption_probe

[Flatsix]

Crooked!!

This guy must think that he's above the law. One corrupt scheme after another. I can't wait to see how many charges are put upon him. They should tar and feather this clown and let him run through the streets of Chicago.

[Scottw]

What a horse's ass.

[Scimmia]

Only word that comes to mind is FINALLY! Stick this guy in a cell with Ryan, and move on to the next crooked politician from Chicago.

[Beagleone]

I was there when he got elected gov the first time. I dealt with his FIL's office and knew how the system worked. Not a surprising arrest, but boy, how stupid could you get?!?

:cb

[MikeyC]

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 wonder who it was that was offering him this?

A lot of politicians being indicted both in Chicago and Boston lately.

[ahc4353]

I wish the Federal Government would come and take a look at New Jersey Politicians.

Now that I said that if I don't post for a few days there might be a problem. :D

[dcamacho]

press conference is on now. crazyness

[Starscream]

Wow. That's some serious sh!t! Now only about 1,000 more politicians to go and this might be a decent place to live again.:)

[tobii3]

....and move on to the next crooked politician from Chicago.

<snort>

:r

[Pat1075]

About damn time.

[zonedar]

One of the charges if for trying to sell Obama's vacant Senate seat. Wild...

[kayak_rat]

Wonder how far up the chain this wil be taken. The Governor has to answer to alot of people.....soooooo

[Whee]

One of the news channels said at the very least he should be indicted for stupidity. KNowing he was under investigation, knowing that he HAD to be bugged, most of his associates convicted, indicted or under investigation and he STILL carries on these conversations.

[Whee]

Wonder how far up the chain this wil be taken. The Governor has to answer to alot of people.....soooooo

In Illinois, there really isn't anybody else to answer to...including the inferred politician...our government has been run by the same cluster of families and power brokers for decades...and i've only lived here for 10 years!

[taltos]

Sounds like Daley is still pulling strings, from hell.

[M1903A1]

FINALLY BUSTED!!!!!!

:r:r:r:r:r

:ss

[icehog3]

FINALLY BUSTED!!!!!!

:r:r:r:r:r

:ss

While it is a sad day for Illinois, it is also a good day for Illinois citizens. Got the crook, finally.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

illinois... the most corrupt state in the country. and im from that state. i feel ashamed. chicago is very corrupt. i cant stand any polititians that have been from chicago or illinois. Rod slammed the nail in the coffin for most of the central and southern part of the state.

O well, ill stand with my chicago teams though. until they become corrupt.

[icehog3]

illinois... the most corrupt state in the country. and im from that state. i feel ashamed. chicago is very corrupt. i cant stand any polititians that have been from chicago or illinois. Rod slammed the nail in the coffin for most of the central and southern part of the state.

O well, ill stand with my chicago teams though. until they become corrupt.

1919 White Sox? ;) :r

[M1903A1]

While it is a sad day for Illinois, it is also a good day for Illinois citizens. Got the crook, finally.

In my case, while I didn't like his attitudes on guns, I especially detest him for his "free rides on public transit for senior citizens" law. I work for one of Chicago's public transit agencies, and we had finally started pulling ourselves together financially after much political flak, frayed nerves and denigration in the press. With that little stunt, he put us right back in the hole. :fl

When you've gone from worrying about your job to breathing a big sigh of relief, only to find yourself right back where you started so fast it makes your head snap, for the sake of cheap political points, it's hard not to feel some schadenfreude.

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

1919 White Sox? ;) :r


thats still being debated:r since then every last bit of corruption and scandals have been completely eliminated. :D

in all seriousness, i would not be surpised of anything corrupt coming from the south side or north side of baseball town.

[qwerty1500]

Mom always told me that if I couldn't say anything nice then I shouldn't say anything at all .... well .... a .... mmmm .... he has a nice head of hair.

[chibnkr]

He is an absolute buffoon. Not just corrupt, but stupid and corrupt.

[icehog3]

He is an absolute buffoon. Not just corrupt, but stupid and corrupt.

His greatest show of stupidity? That he actually thinks he is smarter than all the rest of us. :2

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

What i dont get is why he still continued to use and talk on his office phone about the Obama seat.

Did he not take time to think about using a private line or something other than his OFFICE PHONE! Gosh, im glad this friggin crook got nailed!

[Cigary]

Wow,,,another crooked politician! Color me surprised.

[renton20]

He is an absolute buffoon. Not just corrupt, but stupid and corrupt.

:tpd:

I'll never forget when he first got elected. He said something to the effect that he had a "hunk a hunk a burnin' love" for Illinois. My mom, who was standing next to me and is normally pretty reserved, turns to me, looks me dead in the eye and says, "Oh my G-d, we have a f***ing elvis as govenor"

I've never looked at her in quite the same way since :r:r:r:r:r

[WyoBob]

Chicago and Ill. are corrupt? You coulda knocked me over with a feather:)

Isn't Jesse Jackson in Chicago? Perhaps he could do a "laying on of hands" on the gov. Oh, no, forget that. He got in a bit of trouble for that, didn't he.

Maybe we can get the Rev. Wright to pray for the governor. Yeah, that's the ticket.

What does having such a boob for governor say about Illinois voters (both dead and alive)?

WyoBob

[icehog3]

What i dont get is why he still continued to use and talk on his office phone about the Obama seat.

Did he not take time to think about using a private line or something other than his OFFICE PHONE! Gosh, im glad this friggin crook got nailed!

See below: ;) :D

His greatest show of stupidity? That he actually thinks he is smarter than all the rest of us. :2

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

See below: ;) :D

thanks tom, i think that says it all

[M1903A1]

What i dont get is why he still continued to use and talk on his office phone about the Obama seat.

Did he not take time to think about using a private line or something other than his OFFICE PHONE! Gosh, im glad this friggin crook got nailed!

In that vein he reminds me of 1988 Presidential candidate Gary Hart, who effectively dared the press to follow him around, and they did...right to the Washington flat where he was shacking with Donna Rice.

Nothing like watching an arrogant person engineer their own destruction! :D

[Starscream]

1919 White Sox? ;) :r

At least the Reds won that year.
Gambling in baseball, and to imagine Pete Rose wasn't involved.:D

[floydpink]

It's gotta suck having the FBI at your door at 6 am with handcuffs waiting to haul you out into the cold.:(

Last night was the first I knew of this guy, but he really comes across as a smug prick.

[Whee]

Chicago and Ill. are corrupt? You coulda knocked me over with a feather:)

Isn't Jesse Jackson in Chicago? Perhaps he could do a "laying on of hands" on the gov. Oh, no, forget that. He got in a bit of trouble for that, didn't he.

Maybe we can get the Rev. Wright to pray for the governor. Yeah, that's the ticket.

What does having such a boob for governor say about Illinois voters (both dead and alive)?

WyoBob

Funny you should mention the good Reverend...

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ConductUnbecoming/story?id=6431739&page=1

We get so used to hearing about "Politician A", "Government Official B" and now "Senate Candidate 5" we may actually elect someone with those names one day.

Campaign commercial could be like the Pepsi Taste Taste.

"Let's see which politician the citizens think has less corruption..Politician A or Politician B."

[icehog3]

Obama is calling for Guv Rod to resign.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=257121

[zonedar]

Sure ain't in Obama's interest for this to linger while Rod stays in office. Wonder if Rohm will make it through this without getting any on him.

[smokinj]

This clown takes the "JACKASS of the Yr. Award:wnr

[Whee]

Good news. Accoridng to USA TODAY, we are only the 18th most corrupt state!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-12-10-corruptstates_N.htm?csp=34

[icehog3]

Good news. Accoridng to USA TODAY, we are only the 18th most corrupt state!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-12-10-corruptstates_N.htm?csp=34

Finally, something to be proud of!!


;) :r

[Ubergopher]

Corrupt politicians! I refuse to believe it!

[Whee]

Tom, this one's for you....:r:r:r

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9504159

[icehog3]

Tom, this one's for you....:r:r:r

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9504159

:r :r

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/really-gov-blagojevich/881482/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk5-SKdurmc