Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Feds probe of Blagojevich administration expanded to include Obama Senate replacement process

Although the Tribune Company bankruptcy dominates the local news, its flagship paper, the Chicago Tribune, keeps chugging along, and this morning it breaks an exclusive story about the continuing problems of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

A three-year federal corruption investigation of pay-to-play politics in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration has expanded to include his impending selection of a new U.S. senator to succeed President-elect Barack Obama, the Tribune has learned.

Federal authorities got approval from a judge before the November general election to secretly record the governor, sources told the Tribune, and among their concerns was whether the selection process might be tainted. That possibility has become a focus in an intensifying investigation that has included recordings of the governor and the cooperation of one of his closest friends.

The governor has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The specific contents of the recent recordings have not been disclosed. Blagojevich has said the appointment of a Senate successor, which is his choice alone, could come in a matter of weeks.

Speaking to reporters Monday for the first time since the Tribune revealed federal investigators had recorded him and others as part of their corruption probe, Blagojevich said his discussions were "always lawful." He also defended close confidant John Wyma, whose cooperation with federal agents helped lead to the recordings, as "an honest person who's conducted himself in an honest way."

Will the national media report on this?

Related post:

Dems worry that Blagojevich could taint Obama's successor

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8 comments:

Solomon said...

I guess they'll report it now!

Anonymous said...

Big brother knows Anyway!

Anonymous said...

I thought the purpose of the
Anonymous option on Blog sights,
was that commenters could remain
as such? Tracing (Anonymous)
Commenters isn't very becoming.

Levois said...

Heh, it seems to be this news is almost everywhere!

Anonymous said...

Pearls of wisdom from another
Graduate of the Pundit Academy of
Comedians.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if obama bought his seat? nope. Blago maybe corrupt, but not obama. Obama did it for us! There is a bailout for the people. Everyone qualifies. I got $750,000.00USD in grants for my bailout.

http://moneyloansfinance.blogspot.com

Ben Connor Barrie said...

I lived in Chicago for the last two years and one thing I never got over was how tolerated and even expected political corruption was in the city. Today's news, while a disappointing reflection of the political landscape in Chicago, is not surprising.

grown ass people

Anonymous said...

Grow some jewels you gaseous
pile of S**T!!!!