pimpdave wrote:I don't think the gears of government would move that quickly. If they arrested him, then they've been gathering evidence for a good long time.
Now, maybe they took no action on the evidence until BoA made a call, but that's just getting crazy.
The article states that the Blagojevch qoutes are from November.
Axelrod Denies Barack Obama Met With Rod Blagojevich http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2 ... 1200983730Top 10 Stupidest Moves By Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2 ... 1200983730I heard one politico on CNN say today, "it's just – even by the standard of American politics – incredible."
FBI special-agent-in-charge Robert Grant said: "I can tell you one thing, if it [Illinois] isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it's certainly one hell of a competitor."
10. Talked about his schemes when he knew he was under investigation by the feds for various bribery schemes. On one recording, Blagojevich warned one person not to use the phone and saying, "The whole world is listening. You hear me?" Duh.
9. Committed his crimes in the Northern District of Illinois, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's domain. Yes, this is the same guy who prosecuted the leak of CIA worker Valerie Plame's name to the press, and Scooter Libby. He's known for leaving no stone unturned.
3. Tried to shake down the CEO of Children's Memorial Hospital for $50,000. At one point, the governor awarded $8 million in funding to that hospital, but he allegedly wanted a $50,000 personal contribution from the CEO in return for his generosity. But that donation never came. Blagojevich then was heard via wiretap checking to see whether or not he could pull back the funding for the hospital. That's a low blow, Rod. You're definitely not getting any sympathy when you tried a scam that would ultimately effect kids.
2. Schemed to bribe a newspaper - a newspaper that reports on your screwups. If the Tribune Company wanted to sell Wrigley Field, Blagojevich allegedly said, then certain editors at the Chicago Tribune needed to be fired. Tribune editors say they never got any pressure from their parent company to skew any reporting. Tribune Co. says the company acted "appropriate at all times."
His goose is cooked.
