http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iJkoKCLpl98BhZupoK_PqxQuTp0QD97AM32G5
Key players in the indictment against Blagojevich
By The Associated Press
4-2-9
The federal indictment of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and five co-defendants charges they conspired to trade official government action for Blagojevich's political or personal gain involve a variety of characters. Among key players mentioned in the indictment:
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Rod Blagojevich, 52, of Chicago, a former state legislator and congressman elected governor in 2002 and re-elected four years later despite wide discussion of federal investigations into his administration. He was impeached and removed from office in January. He faces 16 counts of wire fraud, racketeering and extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements in a "pay-to-play" scheme to trade government action for personal and political enrichment beginning in 2002.
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John Harris, 47, of Chicago, Blagojevich's chief of staff from late 2005 until December, when he was arrested and resigned. He is charged with a single count of wire fraud and is cooperating with authorities.
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Alonzo Monk, 50, of Park Ridge, a longtime friend of Blagojevich who served on his staff when the Democrat was in Congress, managed both his gubernatorial campaigns and was his first chief of staff. He is charged with a single count of wire fraud.
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Robert Blagojevich, 53, of Nashville, Tenn., the ex-governor's brother who became his campaign finance chairman in August. He faces two counts of wire fraud.
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Christopher Kelly, 50, of Burr Ridge, a construction company owner and principal fundraiser for Blagojevich, who faces counts of fraud and extortion conspiracy and attempted extortion. He pleaded not guilty last month to separate corruption charges involving construction work at O'Hare International Airport and recently pleaded guilty to obstructing the Internal Revenue Service for paying gambling debts with company money and claiming it as a business expense.
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William F. Cellini Sr., 74, of Springfield, a longtime Republican fundraiser who also collected significant funds for Blagojevich. He faces the same charges as Kelly.
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Congressman A: An Illinois member of the U.S. House. When he asked about a $2 million grant for a public school in his district that Blagojevich had promised and included in the 2006 state budget, Blagojevich told the congressman's staff member he had to hold a fundraiser for Blagojevich.
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Senate Candidate A: The indictment claims Blagojevich believed an associate of Senate Candidate A promised to raise $1.5 million in campaign funds if he appointed the candidate to the Senate. This is consistent with U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill.
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Senate Candidate B: Several counts involve discussions Blagojevich and others had about whether he could get financial benefit or a high-paying job with a not-for-profit organization for appointing Senate Candidate B. This is consistent with Valerie Jarrett, a close adviser to President Barack Obama. Blagojevich thought Jarrett was Obama's choice to succeed him in the Senate, but Jarrett withdrew her name in mid-November.
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Children's Memorial Hospital: The indictment claims Blagojevich tried to get a $50,000 campaign contribution from the hospital or its CEO, Patrick M. Magoon, in exchange for an $8 million pediatric care reimbursement promised by the state.
Racetrack Executive: John Johnston, owner of two Chicago-area horse racing tracks, from whom Blagojevich wanted to get a $100,000 campaign contribution in exchange for signing a law benefiting horse racing. Johnston's lawyer has said the contribution was not made, the federal government talked to Johnston and told him he is not a target or subject of the investigation.
Showing posts with label Jesse Jackson Jr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesse Jackson Jr. Show all posts
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Blagojevich's Lawyers Seek Subpoenaes
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/25/blagojevichs-lawyers-want-obamas-aides-subpoenaed/
Blagojevich's Lawyers Seek Subpoenaes for Emanuel, Jackson Jr.
In an effort to prove the Illinois governor's innocence, his lawyers ask the Illinois House panel to subpoena two of Obama's top aides and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Lawyers for embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich want two key aides to President-elect Barack Obama and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. subpoenaed, according to Chicago media reports.
Blagojevich's legal team has asked the Illinois House panel that members of Obama's incoming administration testify before the House impeachment committee, including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, WBBM-TV and the Chicago Sun-Times reported late Wednesday.
Ed Genson, Blagojevich's chief lawyer, said testimony from the aides will prove the governor's insistence that he did nothing illegal to fill Obama's now vacant U.S. Senate seat.
The news comes days after Obama's team released an internal review that confirmed no "inappropriate" discussions had taken place in the Blagojevich probe.
The report said Emanuel was the only adviser to talk to Blagojevich and his top aide John Harris on the subject of the Senate seat. The incoming chief of staff was authorized to pass on the names of four people he considered qualified to take over his seat: Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, Illinois Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Jackson Jr.
Federal prosecutors asked the Illinois House impeachment committee not to delve into the criminal charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday, a request that could hasten a decision on whether to boot Blagojevich from office.
In a letter, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald warned the committee that interviewing witnesses and discussing documents related to the charges against Blagojevich could undermine his criminal investigation. He declined to give the committee documents and other information about his probe, but left open the possibility of giving the committee copies of Blagojevich conversations captured by federal wiretaps.
"Any inquiry into these topics, as well as the taking of testimony from present and former members of the governor's staff, could significantly compromise the ongoing criminal investigation," Fitzgerald wrote.
Committee members had promised to abide prosecutors' recommendations about what should be off limits, so Fitzgerald's request means the panel won't conduct its own investigation of possible criminal activity. They have said that if they can't pursue the criminal charges, then their fact-gathering work is largely done.
State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, the committee chairwoman, said a decision on whether to recommend an impeachment vote by the full House could come the week of Jan. 5.
Blagojevich is accused of trying to use his authority as governor to appoint Obama's Senate replacement to get cash or a lucrative job for himself, starting days before Obama's Nov. 4 election through Dec. 5. The governor has denied any criminal wrongdoing and has resisted multiple calls for his resignation, including from Obama.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Blagojevich's Lawyers Seek Subpoenaes for Emanuel, Jackson Jr.
In an effort to prove the Illinois governor's innocence, his lawyers ask the Illinois House panel to subpoena two of Obama's top aides and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Lawyers for embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich want two key aides to President-elect Barack Obama and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. subpoenaed, according to Chicago media reports.
Blagojevich's legal team has asked the Illinois House panel that members of Obama's incoming administration testify before the House impeachment committee, including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, WBBM-TV and the Chicago Sun-Times reported late Wednesday.
Ed Genson, Blagojevich's chief lawyer, said testimony from the aides will prove the governor's insistence that he did nothing illegal to fill Obama's now vacant U.S. Senate seat.
The news comes days after Obama's team released an internal review that confirmed no "inappropriate" discussions had taken place in the Blagojevich probe.
The report said Emanuel was the only adviser to talk to Blagojevich and his top aide John Harris on the subject of the Senate seat. The incoming chief of staff was authorized to pass on the names of four people he considered qualified to take over his seat: Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, Illinois Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Jackson Jr.
Federal prosecutors asked the Illinois House impeachment committee not to delve into the criminal charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday, a request that could hasten a decision on whether to boot Blagojevich from office.
In a letter, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald warned the committee that interviewing witnesses and discussing documents related to the charges against Blagojevich could undermine his criminal investigation. He declined to give the committee documents and other information about his probe, but left open the possibility of giving the committee copies of Blagojevich conversations captured by federal wiretaps.
"Any inquiry into these topics, as well as the taking of testimony from present and former members of the governor's staff, could significantly compromise the ongoing criminal investigation," Fitzgerald wrote.
Committee members had promised to abide prosecutors' recommendations about what should be off limits, so Fitzgerald's request means the panel won't conduct its own investigation of possible criminal activity. They have said that if they can't pursue the criminal charges, then their fact-gathering work is largely done.
State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, the committee chairwoman, said a decision on whether to recommend an impeachment vote by the full House could come the week of Jan. 5.
Blagojevich is accused of trying to use his authority as governor to appoint Obama's Senate replacement to get cash or a lucrative job for himself, starting days before Obama's Nov. 4 election through Dec. 5. The governor has denied any criminal wrongdoing and has resisted multiple calls for his resignation, including from Obama.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
What's next for Jesse Jackson Jr.?
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1327730,CST-NWS-jackson12.article
What's next for Jesse Jackson Jr.?
Rep. Jackson not yet in clear with feds in probe of gov: sources
December 12, 2008
BY NATASHA KORECKI, TIM NOVAK, CHRIS FUSCO AND DAVE MCKINNEY Staff Reporters
Even though U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. says he has gotten a clean bill of health from federal prosecutors, sources tell the Chicago Sun-Times he's not yet in the clear.
Investigators want to know what Jackson knew about allegations that a Jackson "emissary" offered to raise at least $1 million in campaign contributions for Gov. Blagojevich in exchange for appointing the Democratic congressman to a U.S. Senate seat, sources say.
Jackson has denied wrongdoing and has said he is to meet with investigators as early as today.
Blagojevich holds the power to appoint the successor to President-elect Barack Obama's vacant seat. The governor was arrested Tuesday on allegations he put the position up for sale.
The criminal complaint against Blagojevich indicates the governor and his brother discussed picking Jackson over other candidates for the post because a Jackson "emissary" promised at least $1 million in campaign contributions in exchange.
"I never sent a message or an emissary to the governor to make an offer, to plead my case or to propose a deal about a U.S. Senate seat, period," Jackson said Wednesday.
Jackson also said the feds have signaled he is not in their sights. "They shared with me that I am not a target of this investigation, and that I am not accused of any misconduct," Jackson said.
But a source in Blagojevich's camp said Thursday that representatives of Jackson approached Blagojevich's brother Robert, who is the governor's campaign-finance chairman, about the open seat. Jackson has identified himself as the "Senate Candidate 5" listed in Blagojevich's criminal complaint.
"In a recorded conversation on October 31, 2008, Rod Blagojevich described an earlier approach by an associate of Senate Candidate 5 as follows: 'We were approached "pay to play." That, you know, he'd raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him [Senate Candidate 5] a senator,' " the complaint states.
The complaint later alleges Blagojevich demanded that the money start flowing.
"Some of this stuff's gotta start happening now ... right now ... and we gotta see it," Blagojevich told a fund-raiser, according to the complaint.
"You understand?"
Sources say investigators are still sorting through information and interviewing witnesses to determine who knew what. The "emissary" has not been identified, and Jackson's father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, issued a statement Thursday night saying the person is not him.
"Our office has received calls today inquiring about or suggesting that I or a member of my family served as an emissary in Governor Blagojevich's 'pay-to-play' scheme, revealed through wire-taps, to fill the state's open Senate seat," Rev. Jackson said. "It is not true."
Rep. Jackson met with Blagojevich for 90 minutes Monday about the Senate seat. The governor's arrest the next day was not related to the meeting with Jackson -- it had been planned more than a week before, sources say.
While the feds taped discussions about the Senate selection, the meeting with Jackson was not recorded because it took place in a Thompson Center office that was not bugged.
After the meeting, both Jackson and Blagojevich appeared elated.
"When the governor came out, he looked pretty happy," according to one source. Jackson was described as excited about his chances of getting appointed to finish Obama's Senate term, according to sources.
Blagojevich then headed to a small fund-raiser thrown by attorney Gery Chico. Chico, a former top aide to Mayor Daley, is president of the Chicago Park District Board.
The next morning, the governor was arrested. The contributors, Chico said, canceled their checks within hours.
What's next for Jesse Jackson Jr.?
Rep. Jackson not yet in clear with feds in probe of gov: sources
December 12, 2008
BY NATASHA KORECKI, TIM NOVAK, CHRIS FUSCO AND DAVE MCKINNEY Staff Reporters
Even though U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. says he has gotten a clean bill of health from federal prosecutors, sources tell the Chicago Sun-Times he's not yet in the clear.
Investigators want to know what Jackson knew about allegations that a Jackson "emissary" offered to raise at least $1 million in campaign contributions for Gov. Blagojevich in exchange for appointing the Democratic congressman to a U.S. Senate seat, sources say.
Jackson has denied wrongdoing and has said he is to meet with investigators as early as today.
Blagojevich holds the power to appoint the successor to President-elect Barack Obama's vacant seat. The governor was arrested Tuesday on allegations he put the position up for sale.
The criminal complaint against Blagojevich indicates the governor and his brother discussed picking Jackson over other candidates for the post because a Jackson "emissary" promised at least $1 million in campaign contributions in exchange.
"I never sent a message or an emissary to the governor to make an offer, to plead my case or to propose a deal about a U.S. Senate seat, period," Jackson said Wednesday.
Jackson also said the feds have signaled he is not in their sights. "They shared with me that I am not a target of this investigation, and that I am not accused of any misconduct," Jackson said.
But a source in Blagojevich's camp said Thursday that representatives of Jackson approached Blagojevich's brother Robert, who is the governor's campaign-finance chairman, about the open seat. Jackson has identified himself as the "Senate Candidate 5" listed in Blagojevich's criminal complaint.
"In a recorded conversation on October 31, 2008, Rod Blagojevich described an earlier approach by an associate of Senate Candidate 5 as follows: 'We were approached "pay to play." That, you know, he'd raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him [Senate Candidate 5] a senator,' " the complaint states.
The complaint later alleges Blagojevich demanded that the money start flowing.
"Some of this stuff's gotta start happening now ... right now ... and we gotta see it," Blagojevich told a fund-raiser, according to the complaint.
"You understand?"
Sources say investigators are still sorting through information and interviewing witnesses to determine who knew what. The "emissary" has not been identified, and Jackson's father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, issued a statement Thursday night saying the person is not him.
"Our office has received calls today inquiring about or suggesting that I or a member of my family served as an emissary in Governor Blagojevich's 'pay-to-play' scheme, revealed through wire-taps, to fill the state's open Senate seat," Rev. Jackson said. "It is not true."
Rep. Jackson met with Blagojevich for 90 minutes Monday about the Senate seat. The governor's arrest the next day was not related to the meeting with Jackson -- it had been planned more than a week before, sources say.
While the feds taped discussions about the Senate selection, the meeting with Jackson was not recorded because it took place in a Thompson Center office that was not bugged.
After the meeting, both Jackson and Blagojevich appeared elated.
"When the governor came out, he looked pretty happy," according to one source. Jackson was described as excited about his chances of getting appointed to finish Obama's Senate term, according to sources.
Blagojevich then headed to a small fund-raiser thrown by attorney Gery Chico. Chico, a former top aide to Mayor Daley, is president of the Chicago Park District Board.
The next morning, the governor was arrested. The contributors, Chico said, canceled their checks within hours.
Emanuel and Jesse Jackson Jr face new revelations
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5332897.ece
December 13, 2008
Blagojevich scandal: Rahm Emanuel and Jesse Jackson Jr face new revelations
James Bone in Chicago
Pressure grew on two of Barack Obama’s closest political aides yesterday as new details emerged of the “pay-for-play” allegations against the Governor of his home state.
Rahm Emanuel, the President-elect’s new Chief of Staff, and Jesse Jackson Jr, the co-chairman of his presidential campaign, both faced new revelations about their possible involvement in the scandal.
Fox News Chicago reported that Mr Emanuel, a Chicago politician who won the Illinois Governor’s former congressional seat, may have been captured on FBI wire-taps discussing the fate of Mr Obama’s vacated US Senate seat with Rod Blagojevich.
The TV station said Mr Emanuel had “multiple conversations” with the Governor, who is accused of trying to “sell” the open Senate seat for a Cabinet post or lucrative top foundation job. The report said the Governor was given a list of Senate candidates acceptable to Mr Obama. Because the FBI was secretly taping Mr Blagojevich in recent weeks, Mr Emanuel’s conversations may have been recorded, Fox News Chicago said.
Any recordings of the newly appointed White House Chief of Staff speaking to Mr Blagojevich about Mr Obama’s former Senate seat would prove an acute embarrassment to the incoming Obama Administration, even if no illegal deals were discussed, and could even force Mr Emanuel’s resignation. Mr Obama has promised to release details of any contacts between his staff and the Governor’s office but told a news conference on Thursday that he was “absolutely certain” that none of his aides was involved in any deal-making.
Mr Emanuel skipped Mr Obama’s press conference, which he typically attends. Cornered by a Chicago Sun-Times reporter at a concert at his children’s school, he refused to comment.
“I’m not going to say a word to you,” Mr Emanuel said. “I’m going to do this with my children. Don’t do that. I’m a father. I have two kids. I’m not going to do it.”
He was asked: “Can’t you do both?” Mr Emanuel replied: “I’m not as capable as you. I’m going to be a father. I’m allowed to be a father.”
Mr Emanuel told an ABC News cameraman, whom he invited into his house to use the toilet yesterday, that he was receiving “regular death threats” because his home address had been put on TV.
Jesse Jackson Jr, the Congressman son of the famed civil rights leader, also faced new questions yesterday about his quest for Mr Obama’s vacated Senate seat.
A group of ethnic Indian businessmen with ties to Mr Jackson and Mr Blagojevich reportedly held a lunch on October 31 and discussed raising $1 million for the Governor’s campaign to encourage him to pick Mr Jackson as Senator, the Chicago Tribune said.
Raghuveer Nayak, a major Blagojevich donor who also has ties to the Jackson family, then co-sponsored a fund-raiser for the Governor on Saturday attended by Mr Blagojevich and Jesse Jackson Jr’s brother Jonathan, the newspaper said.
Mr Nayak, a leader of Chicago’s Asian community, owns a string of surgery clinics and was once involved in a land deal with Jonathan Jackson.
Mr Jackson Jr met Mr Blagojevich at 4pm on Monday to discuss his interest in the Senate seat. Mr Blagojevich was arrested at his home at 6am on Tuesday by prosecutors who said they were trying to thwart a “political crime spree”. Jesse Jackson Jr is due to meet prosecutors next week, but has been told he is not a target of the investigation.
He insisted yesterday that no one had offered the Governor money for the Senate seat on his behalf.
“People know me. They know who I am. I’m confident that no one on my behalf made a single offer to anybody for anything. I would not accept the position if it were offered under those circumstances,” he said.
Mr Blagojevich, meanwhile, went to work again yesterday without making any public comment despite the growing clamour for his resignation. Lisa Madigan, the Illinois Attorney-General, filed a motion with the state’s highest court asking the judges to declare the scandal-plagued Governor unfit to hold office. John Harris, Mr Blagojevich’s Chief of Staff, who was charged along with the Governor, last night stepped down from his job, adding to the pressure on his boss.
December 13, 2008
Blagojevich scandal: Rahm Emanuel and Jesse Jackson Jr face new revelations
James Bone in Chicago
Pressure grew on two of Barack Obama’s closest political aides yesterday as new details emerged of the “pay-for-play” allegations against the Governor of his home state.
Rahm Emanuel, the President-elect’s new Chief of Staff, and Jesse Jackson Jr, the co-chairman of his presidential campaign, both faced new revelations about their possible involvement in the scandal.
Fox News Chicago reported that Mr Emanuel, a Chicago politician who won the Illinois Governor’s former congressional seat, may have been captured on FBI wire-taps discussing the fate of Mr Obama’s vacated US Senate seat with Rod Blagojevich.
The TV station said Mr Emanuel had “multiple conversations” with the Governor, who is accused of trying to “sell” the open Senate seat for a Cabinet post or lucrative top foundation job. The report said the Governor was given a list of Senate candidates acceptable to Mr Obama. Because the FBI was secretly taping Mr Blagojevich in recent weeks, Mr Emanuel’s conversations may have been recorded, Fox News Chicago said.
Any recordings of the newly appointed White House Chief of Staff speaking to Mr Blagojevich about Mr Obama’s former Senate seat would prove an acute embarrassment to the incoming Obama Administration, even if no illegal deals were discussed, and could even force Mr Emanuel’s resignation. Mr Obama has promised to release details of any contacts between his staff and the Governor’s office but told a news conference on Thursday that he was “absolutely certain” that none of his aides was involved in any deal-making.
Mr Emanuel skipped Mr Obama’s press conference, which he typically attends. Cornered by a Chicago Sun-Times reporter at a concert at his children’s school, he refused to comment.
“I’m not going to say a word to you,” Mr Emanuel said. “I’m going to do this with my children. Don’t do that. I’m a father. I have two kids. I’m not going to do it.”
He was asked: “Can’t you do both?” Mr Emanuel replied: “I’m not as capable as you. I’m going to be a father. I’m allowed to be a father.”
Mr Emanuel told an ABC News cameraman, whom he invited into his house to use the toilet yesterday, that he was receiving “regular death threats” because his home address had been put on TV.
Jesse Jackson Jr, the Congressman son of the famed civil rights leader, also faced new questions yesterday about his quest for Mr Obama’s vacated Senate seat.
A group of ethnic Indian businessmen with ties to Mr Jackson and Mr Blagojevich reportedly held a lunch on October 31 and discussed raising $1 million for the Governor’s campaign to encourage him to pick Mr Jackson as Senator, the Chicago Tribune said.
Raghuveer Nayak, a major Blagojevich donor who also has ties to the Jackson family, then co-sponsored a fund-raiser for the Governor on Saturday attended by Mr Blagojevich and Jesse Jackson Jr’s brother Jonathan, the newspaper said.
Mr Nayak, a leader of Chicago’s Asian community, owns a string of surgery clinics and was once involved in a land deal with Jonathan Jackson.
Mr Jackson Jr met Mr Blagojevich at 4pm on Monday to discuss his interest in the Senate seat. Mr Blagojevich was arrested at his home at 6am on Tuesday by prosecutors who said they were trying to thwart a “political crime spree”. Jesse Jackson Jr is due to meet prosecutors next week, but has been told he is not a target of the investigation.
He insisted yesterday that no one had offered the Governor money for the Senate seat on his behalf.
“People know me. They know who I am. I’m confident that no one on my behalf made a single offer to anybody for anything. I would not accept the position if it were offered under those circumstances,” he said.
Mr Blagojevich, meanwhile, went to work again yesterday without making any public comment despite the growing clamour for his resignation. Lisa Madigan, the Illinois Attorney-General, filed a motion with the state’s highest court asking the judges to declare the scandal-plagued Governor unfit to hold office. John Harris, Mr Blagojevich’s Chief of Staff, who was charged along with the Governor, last night stepped down from his job, adding to the pressure on his boss.
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