Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Prosecutor's closing argument: Blago violated oath of office

Federal prosecutor Carrie Hamilton told jurors at the corruption trial of disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to listen to the FBI's secretly recorded tapes because "it will make the defendant's guilt crystal clear."

ABC 7 Chicago has more:

"Make no mistake, the defendant, Rod Blagojevich, tried to get personal benefits for himself in exchange for official duties," Hamilton said.

Speaking to the jury, Hamilton asked, "Did the defendant try to get a benefit for himself in exchange for an official act? That is really what this case boils down to."

Hamilton compared Blagojevich's actions to that of a police officer asking for a bribe. She said, "The law focuses on 'the ask,' not on whether there was a receipt. The law focuses on the squeeze."
Hamilton told jurors that the oath of office Blago took--twice--had been violated by the Chicago Democrat.

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