Former Illinois governor indicted on corruption charges

Former Illinois governor indicted on corruption charges
1 day ago

CHICAGO (AFP) - Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was indicted
Thursday on federal corruption charges alleging "pervasive fraud" after he
purportedly tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant US Senate seat.

Blagojevich, 52, was charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering
conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making
false statements to federal agents, the Justice Department said.

US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald alleged that Blagojevich used his office to
obtain money, campaign contributions and jobs for himself and others "in
numerous matters involving state appointments, business, legislation and
pension fund investments."

Five other close associates of the governor also were charged as
co-defendants, including his brother, a former chief of staff, a lobbyist
and two campaign fundraisers.

The indictment expands on charges filed when Blagojevich was first arrested
in December, including the allegation that Blagojevich tried to sell Obama's
former Senate seat.

The Illinois state legislature ousted Blagojevich from office for abuse of
power in a unanimous vote January 29.

The indictment traces the conspiracy to use the governors office for private
gain to 2002, when the six co-defendants and a former Obama supporter,
Antoin "Tony" Rezko, agreed to divide up the money they made after
Blagojevich left office.

In 2003, they allegedly directed the refinancing of billion dollars in state
pension bonds to a company whose lobbyist agreed to pay Rezko hundreds of
thousands of dollars to be split with Blagojevich and two other associates.

After it became known that Rezko was under investigation, Blagojevich
continued using his office to extort funds, prosecutors allege.

They said he held up a state grant for a publicly funded school while trying
to get an unidentified congressman or his brother to hold a fundraiser for
him.

The indictment includes previous charges that Blagojevich threatened to
withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company unless it fired
editorial board members who were critical of him.

The other defendants were John Harris, 47, Blagojevich's former chief of
staff; Alonzo Monk, 50, a lobbyist who managed his gubernatorial campaigns;
Robert Blagojevich, 53, the governor's brother; Christopher Kelly, 50, a
fundraiser; William Cellini, 74, another fundraiser.

Harris, who served as chief of staff from 2005 until his arrest in December
with Blagojevich, has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, the Justice
Department said.

"As part of the racketeering conspiracy, Blagojevich allegedly permitted
Kelly and Rezko to exercise substantial influence over certain gubernatorial
activities, as well as state boards and commissions, knowing that they would
use this influence to enrich themselves and their associates," the Justice
Department said.

"In return, Kelly and Rezko allegedly benefited Blagojevich by generating
millions of dollars in campaign contributions and providing financial
benefits directly to Blagojevich and his family."

Ian St. John wrote:
Former Illinois governor indicted on corruption charges
1 day ago

CHICAGO (AFP) - Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was indicted
Thursday on federal corruption charges alleging "pervasive fraud" after he
purportedly tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant US Senate seat.

Blagojevich, 52, was charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering
conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making
false statements to federal agents, the Justice Department said.

US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald alleged that Blagojevich used his office to
obtain money, campaign contributions and jobs for himself and others "in
numerous matters involving state appointments, business, legislation and
pension fund investments."

Five other close associates of the governor also were charged as
co-defendants, including his brother, a former chief of staff, a lobbyist
and two campaign fundraisers.

The indictment expands on charges filed when Blagojevich was first arrested
in December, including the allegation that Blagojevich tried to sell Obama's
former Senate seat.

The Illinois state legislature ousted Blagojevich from office for abuse of
power in a unanimous vote January 29.

The indictment traces the conspiracy to use the governors office for private
gain to 2002, when the six co-defendants and a former Obama supporter,
Antoin "Tony" Rezko, agreed to divide up the money they made after
Blagojevich left office.

In 2003, they allegedly directed the refinancing of billion dollars in state
pension bonds to a company whose lobbyist agreed to pay Rezko hundreds of
thousands of dollars to be split with Blagojevich and two other associates.

After it became known that Rezko was under investigation, Blagojevich
continued using his office to extort funds, prosecutors allege.

They said he held up a state grant for a publicly funded school while trying
to get an unidentified congressman or his brother to hold a fundraiser for
him.

The indictment includes previous charges that Blagojevich threatened to
withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company unless it fired
editorial board members who were critical of him.

The other defendants were John Harris, 47, Blagojevich's former chief of
staff; Alonzo Monk, 50, a lobbyist who managed his gubernatorial campaigns;
Robert Blagojevich, 53, the governor's brother; Christopher Kelly, 50, a
fundraiser; William Cellini, 74, another fundraiser.

Harris, who served as chief of staff from 2005 until his arrest in December
with Blagojevich, has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, the Justice
Department said.

"As part of the racketeering conspiracy, Blagojevich allegedly permitted
Kelly and Rezko to exercise substantial influence over certain gubernatorial
activities, as well as state boards and commissions, knowing that they would
use this influence to enrich themselves and their associates," the Justice
Department said.

"In return, Kelly and Rezko allegedly benefited Blagojevich by generating
millions of dollars in campaign contributions and providing financial
benefits directly to Blagojevich and his family."

Ian St. John wrote:
Former Illinois governor indicted on corruption charges
1 day ago

CHICAGO (AFP) - Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was indicted
Thursday on federal corruption charges alleging "pervasive fraud" after he
purportedly tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant US Senate seat.

Blagojevich, 52, was charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering
conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making
false statements to federal agents, the Justice Department said.

US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald alleged that Blagojevich used his office to
obtain money, campaign contributions and jobs for himself and others "in
numerous matters involving state appointments, business, legislation and
pension fund investments."

Five other close associates of the governor also were charged as
co-defendants, including his brother, a former chief of staff, a lobbyist
and two campaign fundraisers.

Damn, what a bunch of scumbag turds.

The indictment expands on charges filed when Blagojevich was first arrested
in December, including the allegation that Blagojevich tried to sell Obama's
former Senate seat.

The Illinois state legislature ousted Blagojevich from office for abuse of
power in a unanimous vote January 29.

The indictment traces the conspiracy to use the governors office for private
gain to 2002, when the six co-defendants and a former Obama supporter,
Antoin "Tony" Rezko, agreed to divide up the money they made after
Blagojevich left office.

In 2003, they allegedly directed the refinancing of billion dollars in state
pension bonds to a company whose lobbyist agreed to pay Rezko hundreds of
thousands of dollars to be split with Blagojevich and two other associates.

After it became known that Rezko was under investigation, Blagojevich
continued using his office to extort funds, prosecutors allege.

They said he held up a state grant for a publicly funded school while trying
to get an unidentified congressman or his brother to hold a fundraiser for
him.

The indictment includes previous charges that Blagojevich threatened to
withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company unless it fired
editorial board members who were critical of him.

The other defendants were John Harris, 47, Blagojevich's former chief of
staff; Alonzo Monk, 50, a lobbyist who managed his gubernatorial campaigns;
Robert Blagojevich, 53, the governor's brother; Christopher Kelly, 50, a
fundraiser; William Cellini, 74, another fundraiser.

Harris, who served as chief of staff from 2005 until his arrest in December
with Blagojevich, has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, the Justice
Department said.

"As part of the racketeering conspiracy, Blagojevich allegedly permitted
Kelly and Rezko to exercise substantial influence over certain gubernatorial
activities, as well as state boards and commissions, knowing that they would
use this influence to enrich themselves and their associates," the Justice
Department said.

"In return, Kelly and Rezko allegedly benefited Blagojevich by generating
millions of dollars in campaign contributions and providing financial
benefits directly to Blagojevich and his family."

On Sat, 4 Apr 2009 10:46:22 -0700, "Ian St. John"
wrote:

Former Illinois governor indicted on corruption charges
1 day ago

CHICAGO (AFP) - Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was indicted
Thursday on federal corruption charges alleging "pervasive fraud" after he
purportedly tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant US Senate seat.

Blagojevich, 52, was charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering
conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making
false statements to federal agents, the Justice Department said.

US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald alleged that Blagojevich used his office to
obtain money, campaign contributions and jobs for himself and others "in
numerous matters involving state appointments, business, legislation and
pension fund investments."

Five other close associates of the governor also were charged as
co-defendants, including his brother, a former chief of staff, a lobbyist
and two campaign fundraisers.

The indictment expands on charges filed when Blagojevich was first arrested
in December, including the allegation that Blagojevich tried to sell Obama's
former Senate seat.

The Illinois state legislature ousted Blagojevich from office for abuse of
power in a unanimous vote January 29.

The indictment traces the conspiracy to use the governors office for private
gain to 2002, when the six co-defendants and a former Obama supporter,
Antoin "Tony" Rezko, agreed to divide up the money they made after
Blagojevich left office.

In 2003, they allegedly directed the refinancing of billion dollars in state
pension bonds to a company whose lobbyist agreed to pay Rezko hundreds of
thousands of dollars to be split with Blagojevich and two other associates.

After it became known that Rezko was under investigation, Blagojevich
continued using his office to extort funds, prosecutors allege.

They said he held up a state grant for a publicly funded school while trying
to get an unidentified congressman or his brother to hold a fundraiser for
him.

The indictment includes previous charges that Blagojevich threatened to
withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company unless it fired
editorial board members who were critical of him.

The other defendants were John Harris, 47, Blagojevich's former chief of
staff; Alonzo Monk, 50, a lobbyist who managed his gubernatorial campaigns;
Robert Blagojevich, 53, the governor's brother; Christopher Kelly, 50, a
fundraiser; William Cellini, 74, another fundraiser.

Harris, who served as chief of staff from 2005 until his arrest in December
with Blagojevich, has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, the Justice
Department said.

"As part of the racketeering conspiracy, Blagojevich allegedly permitted
Kelly and Rezko to exercise substantial influence over certain gubernatorial
activities, as well as state boards and commissions, knowing that they would
use this influence to enrich themselves and their associates," the Justice
Department said.

"In return, Kelly and Rezko allegedly benefited Blagojevich by generating
millions of dollars in campaign contributions and providing financial
benefits directly to Blagojevich and his family."

And this is posted to alt.rec.bicycles.recumbent because?

On Apr 4, 12:46*pm, "Ian St. John" wrote:
Former Illinois governor indicted on corruption charges


Don't you just love Chicago politics????