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Prosecutors: Blago Dirty From the Start
Produced by Rob Wildeboer on Friday, April 03, 2009
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AP/File |
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is facing 16 counts for racketeering, wire fraud, extortion, and lying to federal agents.
When authorities arrested Blagojevich back in December, most of the attention was focussed on his recent activities, like the alleged attempt to sell Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat. But in their indictment released yesterday, prosecutors allege the corruption extended back to Blagojevich's first days as governor.
Unfiltered: Quinn responds to indictment
Blog: Should TV news have aired Blago ambush tape?
Related: Harris talking to prosecutors
Related: Read the full indictment
Related: Complete Blagojevich coverage
He was elected in November of 2002 and prosecutors say that before the year was out the governor and his top aides planned to use their power to make money which they would divvy up once he was out of office. In broad strokes, the scheme worked like this.
Blagojevich would give a state contract to a business and the business would pay a bribe to fundraiser Tony Rezko, whose been convicted and is cooperating with the government. Rezko would keep some of the money and then funnel the rest to the governor's campaign coffers or kick it back in the form of bogus real estate fees paid to Blagojevich's wife Patti. Patti has not been charged. Blagojevich has always maintained his innocence.
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karie major, chicago // Friday, April 03, 2009 @ 2:27 PM
848 coverage said blagovitch indictment on website, but couldnt find it. i find your site not very user friendly
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Apres Ski, Chicago, IL // Friday, April 03, 2009 @ 9:30 PM
Still waiting for the other shoe to drop . . . on Patti!
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