Trial

Chicago - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Warner Todd Huston

Jailed Ill. Gov. Released for Sympathy Visit with Dying Wife

January 7, 2011 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It is being reported that jailed former Illinois Governor George Ryan is being allowed a sympathy visit with his dying wife, Laura Lynn. The former governor will be allowed a 2-hour-long visit Wednesday.

Ryan’s lawyers have for months been trying to get the disgraced governor released from jail to be with his dying wife, but to no avail. They have been successful, at least, in arranging this last visit.

The government, however, has not extended any special favors to Ryan. His last visit with his wife went through the normal procedures for such requests.
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Jailed Ill. Gov. Released for Sympathy Visit with Dying Wife”

Chicago - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Fox News - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Media - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

Blago Calling Emanuel In Next Trial?

November 16, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Rod Blagojevich is saying he fully intends to bring Rahm Emanuel into court as a witness in the next phase of his corruption trial.

“Rahm is going to be a central witness in this case for us,” Blago told Fox News Chanel commentator Geraldo Rivera.

Geraldo wondered if this would be a major distraction for Rahm Emanuel next year as he runs for mayor as the second Blago trial will be occurring at the same time as the mayoral contest.

This is one thing that could portend trouble for an Emanuel run for City Hall. Of course, Emanuel has to get past the charge of non-residency and the perception that he is a carpetbagger from Washington, too. But… you know…

Anyway, if you want to watch a master of desperate spin, heeeeeeres Rod:

It most certainly will be interesting, though, to have a major candidate for mayor who is in the middle of a campaign for City Hall to be dragooned into a corruption trial. If the other candidates for mayor don’t press Emanuel to answer to just how much of Blago’s corruption Rahm knew about, when he knew it and how much of it he was involved in — and by extension the president himself — they don’t deserve to be on the ballot themselves!

Lastly, there is something amusing about a Chicago Mayor in a corruption imbroglio before he even gets elected, too. If that isn’t a typically Chicago mess, what is?
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Blago Calling Emanuel In Next Trial?”

Alexi Giannoulias - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Michael Madigan - Warner Todd Huston

Democrat Corruption in Illinois: Michael Madigan, Rod Blagojevich, Tony Rezko, That’s What Friends are For!

September 22, 2010 by

The Democrats have a deep bench of corrupt officials that have all helped enrich each other at the cost to Illinois’ taxpayers. The Illinois Republican Party wants to remind you of how one Democrat hand helps the next to your money…

The video shows multiple photos of Illinois’ top Democratic leaders hugging, shaking hands or caught in an embrace with Blagojevich. It’s believed the first image of the photo montage which includes convicted felon Tony Rezko, seated next to House Speaker Michael Madigan and Blagojevich, has not been publicly released until now.

Sometimes we forget what friends are for. Mike Madigan. Pat Quinn. Alexi Giannoulias. Lisa Madigan. They all stood arm in arm with Blagojevich, despite claiming now that they knew he was corrupt.

The photos are accompanied by the song “That’s What Friends Are For.” Phrases such as “I’ll be on your side forever more,” take on new meaning for Democratic officials now trying to run as far away from Blagojevich as they can during this campaign season.

The people of Illinois need to know that this is the party that was on Rod’s side, not the people’s side, and look where that got us.

Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

2 Governors, 2 Crooks. What’s Wrong With Illinois?

August 29, 2010 by

You have to admit, it’s a pretty bad indictment against the voters of Illinois as well as their politics…

-By Christopher Wills, AP

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Two Illinois governors from two different parties, two generations, two regions of the state. Both convicted of felonies.

Is there something about Illinois that encourages governors to go bad? Or is it just coincidence that two in a row have ended up as criminals?

A jury convicted Rod Blagojevich of lying to federal investigators about mixing political fundraising with his government work, but deadlocked on whether his other actions crossed the line into corruption. That should be resolved early next year, when the former governor faces a second trial.

Still, his troubles share a common denominator with those of already-imprisoned George Ryan: access to a river of political money. Illinois law let them accept any amount from any donor, including people who had something to gain from a friendly governor. The two also have something else in common – Illinois voters put them in office despite serious questions about their honesty…

Read the rest: 2 Governors, 2 Crooks. What’s Wrong With Illinois?

Chicago - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

Ex Illinois Gov. Blagojevich Trial Update

August 26, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Robert Blagojevich, brother of disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, is celebrating today because the feds have dropped all charges against him and will not be re-trying him net year.

As to the ex-gov, Judge Zagel says that his re-trial should begin in the first week of January, 2011.

No news if the father and son team of lawyers will continue to represent the deposed governor. The Adamses continue to say they are Blagojevich’s friends, but Judge Zagel has given the pair until October to decide i they will continue as a part of Blagojevich’s legal team.

Barack Obama - Democracy - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - President - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

Blago Again Says Feds Were Really After Obama

August 23, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Disgraced Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois is at it again. In an interview with ABC News, Blago tried to, and clumsily at that, allude to the fact that federal prosecutors were pressuring him to out President Obama as a part of the gov’s Senate seat for Payola scam.

Blago told ABC News, “when they had me in custody they were very clear about how they wanted me to cooperate and talk about people in higher places.” He went on to say that there aren’t “a lot of positions higher than governor” naturally leading to the assumption that he meant the president was under scrutiny. But when pressed if he meant the president, Blago wouldn’t go that far.

But this would be a new found reticence because back in 2009 Blago was more than happy to tell anyone that would listen that the Feds wanted him to rat on Obama.

On a video made at a book signing party at Columbia College, Blago was heard seen saying the following:

(Caution, language warning)

“…part of what they wanted was sh*t on Obama. They lock you up. They do this shock and awe bullsh*t. They arrest everybody ok, and then they sit you down and say ‘you are a nice guy. We want to work with you. What can you tell us about Obama.'”

Once again we see the mental gymnastics of the troubled Rod Blagojevich. Clearly in his mind he is an innocent pawn in a conspiracy to topple a president. I’m sure he sees himself as the hero that saved Obama’s presidency.

Blao’s conviction on one count of lying to the feds was a close call. Only two jurors refused to agree with the rest on one of the more damaging counts, that of racketeering — and they even agreed that he was guilty on that charge until the last day of deliberations after which they abruptly changed their minds.

Blago will likely serve time on the one conviction but this isn’t the end of the court’s efforts because judge Zagel has said he still plans to schedule a retrial on the other counts.

Maybe this interview is Blago’s thinly disguised warning to President Obama that he could still spill the beans if Obama allows the Justice Department to retry him? Is Blago trying to blackmail Obama here?
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Blago Again Says Feds Were Really After Obama”

Crime - Democrats/Leftists - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Republicans - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

A Tour of Illinois’ Criminal Governors

August 20, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

With the recent result of the latest trial and conviction of former Illinois Governor Democrat Rod Blagojevich, it is interesting to take a little tour of all the Illinois Governors that were indicted at one time or another. Some of them even served time.

It appears that the number of indicted Illinois Democrats beats the Republicans by one with four Democrats indicted to the Republican’s three. On the other hand, the ones jailed is top heavy with Democrats with two Democrats jailed to only one Republican jailed. And one more Democrat will be serving time once Blagojevich’s trials are all done and over making it three to one.

As you read this list, folks, remember that THIS is the state where President Barack Obama learned his politics.

Here is the list…

Joel A. Matteson (1853 – 1857)
Party: Democrat
Charge: Embezzling
Verdict: Not convicted

Len Small (1921 – 1929)
Party: Republican
Charge: Embezzling $2 million when he was State Treasurer
Verdict: Acquitted (but jury tampering is suspected as 4 of the jurors ended up with new state jobs)

William Stratton (1953 – 1961)
Party: Republican
Charge: Cheating on Taxes by using political contributions for personal expenses
Verdict: Acquitted

Otto Kerner (1961 – 1968)
Party: Democrat
Charge: Bribery, perjury, bag man for racetrack industry
Verdict: Convicted, sentenced to 3 years, served 7 months

Dan Walker (1973 – 1977)
Party: Democrat
Charge: Bank fraud and perjury
Verdict: Guilty, sentenced to 7 years, served 17 months

George Ryan (1999 – 2003)
Party: Republican
Charge: Conspiracy, racketeering
Verdict: Guilty, sentenced to 6 1/2 years. Still serving.

Rod Blagojevich (2004 – 2009)
Party: Democrat
Charge: Extortion, lying to the feds, selling a U.S. Senate seat
Verdict: Guilty so far on one count of lying to the feds, re-trial being scheduled.
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A Tour of Illinois’ Criminal Governors”

Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

The Verdict for Ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich and Brother is IN

August 17, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The long awaited verdict in the trial of former Democratic Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich and his brother is finally at hand — at least a little. Blagojevich has been accused of trying to sell for personal gain his influence to appoint a senator to replace Barack Obama when he resigned the seat to become president.

Over the last week or so the jury revealed through a long parade of written questions to the judge that they were hopelessly deadlocked on most of the counts that the pair were facing. At one point the jury admitted that they could only agree on two of the 24 counts. Worse, they hadn’t even looked at the 11 wire fraud counts.

The fact is, though, that only two of the counts really mattered. The 2nd Count, racketeering and conspiracy, carries a 20 year maximum sentence, and the 24th Count, Lying to the feds, which carries a 5 year maximum sentence.

The jury never did come to much agreement on this case as it happens. But they did convict ex-Governor Blagojevich on one of the counts.

At about 4:30 the jury delivered their verdict on the only count they agreed upon. Count 24, lying to the feds. The jury agreed that Rod Blagojevich is guilty on this count. After that verdict was delivered the jury was dismissed for the day.

This means that Rod Blagojevich is likely to serve at least 6 months in federal jail. No news on the counts that the ex-governor’s brother faces.

Judge Zagel has announced, however, that he’s declaring a mistrial on the rest of the 23 counts. He is rescheduling a re-trial.
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The Verdict for Ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich and Brother is IN”

Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Pat Brady - Republicans - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

GOP Boss Pat Brady: ‘We Won’t Make Big Deal of Blago Verdict.’… Ill. GOP Being the Stupid Party Again?

August 17, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

On WBEZ radio the Chairman of the Illinois GOP made an odd statement. He told the radio station that he didn’t think the Illinois GOP was going to make a big deal out of the upcoming verdict in troubled Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich’s trial.

Not make a big deal of it? Why in the name of all things political would the leader of a Party throw away one of the best things that could happen to his party: the conviction of the other party’s head man?

When asked about the Blago verdict, Brady said, “You know, we could make a lot of political hay out of it. I don’t think we will, because [I’ll] just [be] relieved it’s over.”

We won’t make any political hay out of it?

Unbelievable.
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GOP Boss Pat Brady: ‘We Won’t Make Big Deal of Blago Verdict.’… Ill. GOP Being the Stupid Party Again?”

Barack Obama - Chicago - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Liberals - Rod Blagojevich - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

What Did Obama Know of Blago’s Selling of Senate Seat And When Did He Know It?

July 14, 2010 by 1 Comment

The National Republican Committee wants to know the answer to a few questions…

Once again the exculpatory memo issued by the President-elect’s lawyer, Greg Craig, in December of 2008 is finding itself in conflict with testimony coming out of the Blagojevich Trial in Chicago. First we learned through the testimony of SEIU boss Tom Balanoff that President Obama actually played an active role in promoting Valerie Jarrett as a candidate for his old seat, despite no mention of that in the memo. Now we are learning of another call, this time by Rahm Emanuel that violated Obama’s supposed neutrality policy and again failed to be reported by Craig. Here are a couple of questions for a White House that clearly wants to avoid this topic:

1) How do explain the inconsistencies between Craig’s memo, which said “the President-Elect had ruled out communicating a preference” and John Wyma’s testimony that he received a call from Rahm Emanuel with a message from the President-Elect?

2) How do you explain the reoccurring pattern of omitted or inaccurate information included in the memo, in this case the call from Emanuel to Wyma, and how does that reflect on the veracity of the document as a whole?
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What Did Obama Know of Blago’s Selling of Senate Seat And When Did He Know It?”

Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

Follow the Blago Trial on New Website

July 1, 2010 by

A new blog (www.obamaandblago.com) that will follow the Rod Blagojevich corruption trial and explain how it relates to Barack Obama has launched today. It will be researched and written by veteran Illinois political operatives Dan Curry and John Pearman, who have been following Blagojevich for nearly a decade.

The project is sponsored by the Foundation for a Secure and Prosperous America started by Rick Reed, nationally acclaimed Republican admaker who created the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ad campaign, among others.

Barack Obama - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Ethics - Government - Liberals - Rod Blagojevich - SEIU - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Obama Used Union Middle Man For Blago Bribery

June 30, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that union leader Thomas Balanoff of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) was contacted by President Obama to act as a go-between to help Obama friend Valerie Jarrett secure his vacated Illinois Senate Seat when now former Governor Rod Blagojevich was trying to sell the seat to the highest bidder.

Balanoff appeared as a witness at the Blago corruption trial today. He said that Obama called him the day before he was elected president.

“Tom, I want to talk to you with regard to the Senate seat,” Obama told him.

Balanoff said Obama said he had two criteria: someone who was good for the citizens of Illinois and could be elected in 2010.

Obama said he wasn’t publicly coming out in support of anyone but he believed Valerie Jarrett would fit the bill.

“I would much prefer she (remain in the White House) but she does want to be Senator and she does meet those two criteria,” Balanoff said Obama told him. “I said: ‘thank you, I’m going to reach out to Gov. Blagojevich.”

Balanoff testified that Blago broadly hinted that he’d love to be offered the top spot at Health and Human Services, but Balanoff also said he couldn’t deliver that.

Obama appointed Jarret to a position at the White House after the election.
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Obama Used Union Middle Man For Blago Bribery”

Chicago - Congress - Cook County - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Liberals - President - Rod Blagojevich - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Revealing Audio From Blago Trial — Obama Admin. Joins Blago’s Fire Sale

June 24, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Illinois State House News service has some very revealing audio from the Rod Blagojevich trial from the June 23 court sessions. It shows Blago’s scheming to get some payback for his ability to appoint someone to fill Obama’s vacated Senate seat. It also shows the Obama administration’s complicity in the whole mess.

WARNING: The “F” word is liberally thrown around in this tape of Blago, so be warned.

It is some very, very interesting audio, is it not?

On the Blago trial, some have asked me why I am not covering it much here. For one thing it’s all so ho hum. It is not surprising to find a Democrat as criminally minded as Blago. Most of all, everyone knew he was a creep. But secondly, there isn’t a Chicago Democrat that acts any differently! The whole trial is just nothing that shocks me. It all just doesn’t interest me because it is a foregone conclusion. Blago is a crook and so is his party. Boooooring.

The sad fact is, I just can’t get myself ginned up to cover this thing. It is all nothing out of the ordinary for Illinois’ criminal Democrats.

This tape, though, does show that the Chicago Way extends into the White House, so it was worth posting.
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Revealing Audio From Blago Trial — Obama Admin. Joins Blago’s Fire Sale”

9/11 - Barack Obama - Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Liberals - President - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

In 2009 Video Blago Said Prosecutors Wanted ‘Sh*t on Obama’

June 15, 2010 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Back in 2009 a video compilation of clips of impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was posted on YouTube. Today folks are realizing that this video features Blago claiming that the reason prosecutors went after him was to get information on President Obama.

On the video made at a book signing party at Columbia College, Blago is seen saying the following:

“…part of what they wanted was shit on Obama. They lock you up. They do this shock and awe bullshit. They arrest everybody ok, and then they sit you down and say ‘you are a nice guy. We want to work with you. What can you tell us about Obama.'”

(Caution, language warning)

So, now Blagojevich is claiming that the reason prosecutors came after him is because they somehow wanted to attack Barack Obama? And, what, he was standing up like a dutiful soldier to protect the president?

Give me a break. This guy will say anything to try and shift the light of truth away from his actions and onto his multiple conspiracy theories.
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In 2009 Video Blago Said Prosecutors Wanted ‘Sh*t on Obama’”

Chicago - Democrats/Leftists - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Law - Rod Blagojevich - Warner Todd Huston

Check out TheBlagoFiles.com

June 3, 2010 by

From the Illinois GOP…

The Illinois Republican Party has launched a comprehensive web site to follow the trial of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. “The Blago Files” will be updated regularly with summaries of the court proceedings and links to the vast news coverage expected over the next several weeks.

We are looking forward to helping Illinois voters keep up with all of the testimony. The trial will put the spotlight right where it belongs: on the corruption that’s been allowed to fester far too long under Democratic Party control in Illinois.
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Check out TheBlagoFiles.com”

Chicago - Cook County - Democrats/Leftists - Dick Durbin - Government - Illinois - Illinois State Government - Rod Blagojevich - Senate - Warner Todd Huston

Obama Chief of Staff Emanuel Subpoenaed For Blago Trial

June 2, 2010 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It has been confirmed that Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s chief of staff, has been subpoenaed by Rod Blagojevich’s defense team in his upcoming trial the Sun-Times is reporting.

Blago defense team Shelly Sorosky told the Times, “Yes, he’s been subpoenaed by the defense,” and went on to call Emanuel a “critical witness.”

Sorosky said there are two areas of interest involving Emanuel: the alleged attempted extortion of Emanuel by then-Gov. Blagojevich and the U.S. senate seat selection concerning now-White House adviser Valerie Jarrett.

According to Sorosky, the blago team has subpoenaed a whole retinue of Washington types for just-in-case needs. Already they’ve subpoenaed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Former Governor Blagojevich is under indictment for attempting to sell Barack Obama’s vacated illinois Senate seat.

The trial is now empanelling the jurors and the trial will soon be under way.
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Obama Chief of Staff Emanuel Subpoenaed For Blago Trial”