Former Illinois Governor Blagojevich indicted on 16 felony counts
From Sunshine Review
15 April 2009
On Thursday April 2, former Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich was indicted on 16 felony counts, including racketeering, wire fraud, extortion, and making false statements to federal agents. While re-iterating the charges brought in an affidavit last December, the indictment added a number of new charges as well, also charging Blagojevich's brother, two former aides, and two businessmen.
Blagojevich, who was spending the day at Walt Disney World, declined to comment publicly, but in a statement from his publicist said “I’m saddened and hurt, but I am not surprised by the indictment. I am innocent. I now will fight in the courts to clear my name.”[1]
Contents |
[edit] "The Blagojevich Enterprise"
According to a press release put out by the office of U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Blagojevich "used his office in numerous matters involving state appointments, business, legislation and pension fund investments to seek or obtain such financial benefits as money, campaign contributions, and employment for himself and others, in exchange for official actions, including trying to leverage his authority to appoint a United States Senator," but he was far from the only one.[2]
The 75-page indictment lays out a wide spread corruption scheme that federal prosecutors refer to as "the Blagojevich Enterprise," the “primary purpose" of which "was to exercise and preserve power over the government of the State of Illinois for the financial and political benefit of” Blagojevich, his family and friends.[1]
[edit] Counts against Blagojevich
The indictment charges Blagojevich with 11 counts of wire fraud, two counts of attempted extortion, and one count each of racketeering conspiracy, extortion conspiracy, and making false statements. Each of the first 15 counts could carry with them up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Making false statements could yield a sentence of up to 5 years in prison along with a $250,000 fine.[2]
Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture from Blagojevich of all funds held in four banks either in the name of or on behalf of "Friends of Blagojevich," as well as $188,370 as proceeds of an alleged fraud and racketeering scheme.
[edit] Also charged
The same indictment also charges 5 other men in conjunction with the Blagojevich Enterprise:[2]
- John Harris - Blagojevich's former Chief of Staff from late 2005 until December 2008, when he was also arrested. He has been charged with a single count of wire fraud.
- Alonzo Monk - A lobbyist working with AM3 Consulting, Ltd. He is a longtime associate of Blagojevich.
- Robert Blagojevich - The brother of the former governor and chairman of the campaign fund beginning in August 2008.
- Christopher Kelly - A businessman and principal campaign fundraiser, he served as chair of Blagojevich's campaign fund from early 2004 to August 2005.
- William F. Cellini, Sr. - A businessman, raised large amounts for Blagojevich's campaign fund, especially in his role as Executive Director of the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association.
Blagojevich's wife Patricia was not indicted, but was more or less named as a co-conspirator in efforts to benefit the family.[3]
[edit] New allegations
Along with the previously public allegations, the indictment included a number of new allegations, including indications that Blagojevich was making plans to benefit from the office before even being elected.
According to the indictment, beginning in 2002 and going until after he was elected governor, Blagojevich, Monk, Kelly, and Tony Rezko make a pact to use the offices of governor and chief of staff to reap financial benefits, which would be divided among them and distributed once leaving office.[2]
This plan was implemented in 2003 when the four men, along with others, worked to direct state business dealing with refinancing billions in State of Illinois Pension Obligation Bonds to a company whose lobbyist agreed to give Rezko hundreds of thousands of dollars, which he would then distribute among the others.
Also among the new allegations is that in an interview on March 16, 2005, Blagojevich lied to the FBI, telling them he strictly separates politics and state business, and that he does not keep track or want to know who donates to him and how much they give.[2]
[edit] Reactions
Officials across the spectrum expressed sadness and outrage at the developments.
New Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said, “It’s a sad day for the people of Illinois, and now the defendants will have their day in court. The people of our state want clear and honest government, and that’s why I’m governor today.”[1]
State House Republican Leader Tom Cross told reporters “To say it’s a sad day is an understatement. You want desperately just to climb out of this hole, this ethics garbage dump we have. Every day you think you can climb out, then this adds another bulldozer of dirt on top of you.”[1]
Meanwhile, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin expressed a view held by many in the state, ""We can only hope the former governor will not view this indictment as a green light for another publicity tour. Rod Blagojevich deserves his day in court, but the people of Illinois deserve a break."[4]
[edit] More to come?
A number of legal analysts have said the indictment shows that prosecutors are still investigating the case and seeking more evidence. Ronald Safer, a former prosecutor who has previously handled federal subpoenas for the governor's office, said "I think this is a highlight, but this indictment is by no means the end of this. There's a whole infrastructure in state government that supported what's in these allegations, and I think prosecutors will continue to investigate that."[5]
[edit] Not guilty pleas
On April 14, Rod Blagojevich and attorney Sheldon Sorosky appeared at the Chicago federal courthouse before U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel and entered a plea of not guilty. His brother Robert also appeared and entered a plea of not guilty.[6]
The former governor appeared without a full legal team due to lack of funds. Sorosky is seeking permission to use money from the $2 million campaign fund to pay for additional attorneys. "It's just not possible for just one lawyer to defend Mr. Blagojevich, no matter who that lawyer may be," he explained to the judge.[6] Edward M. Genson, a top Chicago criminal lawyer, previously served as chief defense council, but resigned after Blagojevich refused to stop going off in TV interviews.
At the courthouse, Blagojevich declared "Now we can begin the process of getting the truth out and I can clear my name and vindicate myself. It's the end of the beginning in one respect but it's the beginning of another aspect...That is the beginning of me being able to prove and clear my name and be vindicated of what are inaccurate allegations."[6] Meanwhile, it is said that he is attempting to get the court's permission to let him leave the county to be on a reality TV show set in the jungles of Costa Rica. NBC has confirmed that they have sought him for the show, "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!," and that he would be paid $80,000 a week.[7]
Two days after Blagojevich's not guilty plea, John Harris, Christopher Kelly, and William Cellini all entered not guilty pleas as well.[8]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 New York Times, Blagojevich Charged With 16 Corruption Felonies , April 2, 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 U.S. Department of Justice - United States Attorney Northern District of Illinois, FORMER ILLINOIS GOV. ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH, HIS BROTHER, TWO FORMER TOP AIDES AND TWO BUSINESSMEN INDICTED ON FEDERAL CORRUPTION CHARGES ALLEGING PERVASIVE FRAUD, April 2, 2009
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, Rod Blagojevich indicted on federal corruption charges, April 3, 2009
- ↑ MSNBC, Blago indicted, April 3, 2009
- ↑ UPI, Blagojevich indictment intrigues experts, April 5, 2009
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 AP, Former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich pleads not guilty, April 15, 2009
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich hoping to appear on reality show, April 15, 2009
- ↑ AP, 3 more not guilty pleas in Blagojevich case, April 16, 2009
