Illinois' Gov. Blagojevich: When is a gift a bribe?

When I was growing up, I'd get various gifts from relatives and family friends--a bond, maybe a check for $25, but nothing much more.

My father was not the governor of Illinois, however, so I didn't get any gifts like this, as AP tells us:

A published report says federal investigators have questioned friends of Gov. Rod Blagojevich about a $1,500 personal check written to one of the governor's children in 2003.

Investigators were interested in whether the money was linked to Beverly Ascaridis' hiring for a state job that same year.

The Chicago Tribune reported in its Sunday editions that the FBI interviewed Beverly Ascaridis and her husband, Michael Ascaridis, about the check made out to Amy Blagojevich.

The governor's office said the check was a gift for Amy's seventh birthday -- and nothing more.

Michael Ascaridis is described as a longtime Gov. Blago friend. He is Blagojevich's former campaign manager. His wife later joined the staff of the state Department of Natural Resources, where she makes $45,000 a year.

This is the first public acknowledgment that federal authorities are investigating the personal finances of the Blagojevich, a Chicago Democrat.

The hiring practices of the Blagojevich administration are being investigated by US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, yes, the "Fitzmas" guy. Fitzgerald said in June that his office is looking at "various allegations of endemic hiring fraud" within state government since Blagojevich, who is up for re-election this year, became governor in 2003.

Here is the longer Chicago Tribune story. The Trib broke the news, but free registration is required to access the story.

In the Tribune report, it's noted that Beverly Ascaridis' job was originally located in Whiteside County, a rural area near the Iowa border best known for the village of Tampico, where Ronald Reagan was born. About a month layer, the positon was moved closer to Ascaridis' Chicago home.

But Beverly is not a fan of the governor, telling the Tribune, "I hate the man with every fiber of my being."

Last Wednesday, Blago's predecessor, Republican George Ryan, was sentenced to 78 months in prison after being found guilty of various corruption charges.

Related posts: Not a Merry Fitzmas in July for Ill. Gov Rod Blagojevich

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Technorati tags: Blagojevich Elections illinois politics Politics corruption Democrats Patrick Fitzgerald