Sunday, November 11, 2007

Blagojevich fundraiser accused of shaking down pharmacist

The stream of corruption charges against the administration of Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Chicago Democrat, continues.

From AP:

Illinois State Police have reopened an investigation into whether a fundraiser illegally pressured a pharmacy owner to donate $25,000 to the campaign fund of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, according to published reports.

State Police spokesman Lt. Scott Compton told the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times that the matter is now an ongoing investigation.

Chicago pharmacy owner Jatin Patel has claimed that fundraiser Harish Bhatt encouraged him in 2005 to make a campaign contribution so his pharmacy would be treated fairly in a Medicaid fraud dispute.

Bhatt's attorney denies the charges, calling them "absolutely false" and "defamatory."
More...

(The Blagojevich) administration has been accused of trading state jobs, appointments and contracts for political contributions. And federal prosecutors have acknowledged they're investigating "serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" under Blagojevich.


The Associated Press story draws heavily from today's Chicago Tribune report, but free registration is required for the article.

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