Scroll down for multiple updates on this big story.
Shocking news out of Obama's home state of Illinois today. Illinois' governor -- a Democrat -- has been arrested by the FBI on corruption charges:
Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges alleging that they and others are engaging in ongoing criminal activity: conspiring to obtain personal financial benefits for Blagojevich by leveraging his sole authority to appoint a United States Senator; threatening to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical of Blagojevich; and to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions – both historically and now in a push before a new state ethics law takes effect January 1, 2009.
Blagojevich, 51, and Harris, 46, both of Chicago, were each charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. They were charged in a two-count criminal complaint that was sworn out on Sunday and unsealed today following their arrests, which occurred without incident, announced Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Both men were expected to appear later today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan in U.S. District Court in Chicago.
A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich, a Democrat, was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois' U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining:
A substantial salary for himself at a either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions;
Placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year;
Promises of campaign funds – including cash up front; and
A cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.
Just last week, on December 4, Blagojevich allegedly told an advisor that he might "get some (money) up front, maybe" from Senate Candidate 5, if he named Senate Candidate 5 to the Senate seat, to insure that Senate Candidate 5 kept a promise about raising money for Blagojevich if he ran for re-election. In a recorded conversation on October 31, Blagojevich claimed he was approached by an associate of Senate Candidate 5 as follows: "We were approached 'pay to play.' That, you know, he'd raise 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator."
On November 7, while talking on the phone about the Senate seat with Harris and an advisor, Blagojevich said he needed to consider his family and that he is "financially" hurting, the affidavit states. Harris allegedly said that they were considering what would help the "financial security" of the Blagojevich family and what will keep Blagojevich "politically viable." Blagojevich stated, "I want to make money," adding later that he is interested in making $250,000 to $300,000 a year, the complaint alleges.
On November 10, in a lengthy telephone call with numerous advisors that included discussion about Blagojevich obtaining a lucrative job with a union-affiliated organization in exchange for appointing a particular Senate Candidate whom he believed was favored by the President-elect and which is described in more detail below, Blagojevich and others discussed various ways Blagojevich could "monetize" the relationships he has made as governor to make money after leaving that office.
"The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," Mr. Fitzgerald said. "They allege that Blagojevich put a 'for sale' sign on the naming of a United States Senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism. The citizens of Illinois deserve public officials who act solely in the public's interest, without putting a price tag on government appointments, contracts and decisions," he added.
Update: Damn, the details are stunning. This is about as corrupt as it gets.
Sweet!
On Monday, Blagojevich said he has done nothing wrong in his stewardship of the state and challenged critics to record him because his discussions were "always lawful.
Ahem!
Blagojevich was taken into federal custody at his North Side home this morning.
The stunning, early morning visit by authorities to the governor's North Side home came amid revelations that federal investigators had recorded the governor with the cooperation of a longtime confidant and had begun to focus on the possibility that the process of choosing a Senate successor to President-elect Barack Obama could be tainted by pay-to-play politics.
Pay-to-play for Obama's replacement? I wonder what Obama sold, or sold-out on, to the Chicago machine for support when he ran for the seat?
Kim Priestap at Wizbang:
This is amazing. Have we ever seen such a spectacle before? A sitting governor and his chief of staff arrested and taken into custody on federal corruption charges. For how long have the Kos Kiddies and the DUmmies dreamt of Karl Rove perp walkedfor his phantom illegal activities just to have one of their own go through it instead? The schadenfreude is simply too delicious to pass up.
It may be schadenfreude time, but more than that, it's "hang your head, America" time. How did we elect this man? How many more Gov. Blagojeviches and Elliot Spitzers have we put into office? How many more politicians and bureaucrats in state and local government are trading their power for money and favors right now? How many corruptocrats are waiting in the wings to join the Obama administration?
Every time we increase and multiply our laws and public works projects and regulations and social welfare programs and taxes and spending, we multiply the opportunities for waste, fraud, and corruption. If Obama takes office and carries through on even half his plans to further expand the already massive federal bureaucracy, such as his plan for a massive public works program, we are guaranteed a whole lot more corruption. And with Obama controlling the FBI, will the corruption of Democrats even be investigated or prosecuted?
We are entering a difficult time.
Update 1: So far, no sign that Obama personally offered to pay Blagojevich for the right to appoint his successor to the Senate, but this is worrisome:
The FBI affidavit said Blagojevich had been told by an adviser "the President-elect can get ROD BLAGOJEVICH's wife on paid corporate boards in exchange for naming the President-elect's pick to the Senate."
Update 2: Who is Senate Candidate 5?
Update 3: I see that Ace is on somewhat the same wavelength:
Indictment Excerpt: Blago Conspires to Yank State's Support of Chicago Tribune Owned Cubs Unless They "Fire All These People [Criticizing Me and Calling for Impeachment], Get 'em the f*ck out off there and get us some editorial support"
All this nationalization of industry. Corporations becoming dependent on government officials for their lifeblood.
What could go wrong?
Update 4: Was Obama's choice for chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, a whistleblower, or a participant?
Update 5: Democrats trying to salvage the situation are already calling for a special election to pick Obama's replacement in the Senate. Some are also mentioning impeachment of the governor if he does not resign.
Update 6: Has the governor already blown his shot at a pardon from Obama, should Obama take office?
Update 7: Maybe not . . . if Obama needs to make this little problem go away, that is: "Blagojevich Arrest Shakes Obama Presidency to Its Core"
Update 8: Not even in office yet and Obama is already being tested on how Clintonesque (evasive) he can be: "I Did Not Have Contact With That Governor"
Update 9: The Context of the Blago Arrest the Media Won't Report
Update 10: "State Senate President Emil Jones (D) and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D) have both announced they will reconvene and repeal the law that allows the governor to appoint a replacement senator for Barack Obama." (David Fredosso, The Corner)
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