Category Archives: Blagojevich trial

Blagojevich appeal delay helps Obama, One of many problems for Obama hidden by Syria crisis and domestic issues, Blagojevich legal scrutiny has lasted 10 years

Blagojevich appeal delay helps Obama, One of many problems for Obama hidden by Syria crisis and domestic issues, Blagojevich legal scrutiny has lasted 10 years

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells
“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells
“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”…Citizen Wells, July 19, 2011

From the US Court of Appeals 2012 statistics.

“The median time from filing a notice of appeal or docket date to final disposition decreased from 11 months to 9.8 months.”

http://www.uscourts.gov/Statistics/JudicialBusiness/2012/us-courts-of-appeals.aspx

The Rod Blagojevich Notice of appeal was filed on December 22, 2011.

Almost 2 years later we are nowhere near disposition.

But in the legal scrutiny of Rod Blagojevich, this is a short span considering the fact that the wiretapping of his associates began in late 2003.

“The following facts make the argument that Rod Blagojevich should have been arrested long before December 8, 2008 and before Tony Rezko.

  • Blagojevich began scheming as soon as he entered office. From the Blagojevich arrest press release. “The charges include historical allegations that Blagojevich and Harris schemed with others – including previously convicted defendants Antoin Rezko, Stuart Levine, Ali Ata and others – since becoming governor in 2002 to obtain and attempt to obtain financial benefits for himself, his family and third parties, including his campaign committee, Friends of Blagojevich, in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state employment, state contracts and access to state funds.”
  • Pamela Meyer Davis began wearing a secret FBI wiretap  in late 2003 to record conversations involving state health planning board.
  • Most of the corruption in the Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine and Rod Blagojevich indictments took place between 2003 and 2005. Counts 1, 2 and 4 in the Blagojevich Indictment were eventualy dropped. Those counts covered that time period and represented approximately half of the indictment.
  • “FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain, the primary case agent on the investigation into Levine and Rezko, is on the stand now in testimony that is laying the foundation for entering the wiretaps into evidence. Cain said the investigation, dubbed Operation Board Games by the federal agents, began in December 2003 and was prompted by information gleaned from an informant whom he did not identify. That witness, he said, took part in meetings with two other individuals who were in contact with Levine by phone at his home. Cain said Levine had three phone lines in his North Shore home. Federal agents recorded conversations on those lines April 8-May 21, 2004. Those dates span the time when Levine, Rezko and others allegedly were working to rig the hospital board vote on a Mercy Health System hospital proposal for Crystal Lake and other kickback schemes prosecutors claim they were engaged in.” Rezko trial March 12, 2008″

Read more:

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/09/02/blagojevich-prosecution-delays-protect-obama-part-1-blagojevich-arrest-delayed-after-2008-election-patrick-fitzgerald-usdoj-had-key-witness-and-crimes/

Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?

Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?

What were Obama and Blagojevich discussing just after the 2008 election and just before Blagojevich was arrested?

ObamaBlagoNov2008

I told you this would happen over 2 years ago.

From Citizen Wells July 19, 2011.

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”

Read more:

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/blagojevich-appeal-strategy-will-reveal-more-about-setup-protecting-obama-crucify-blagojevich-or-off-the-hook/

Blagojevich appeal filed July 15, 2013, Attorney Len Goodman, Lauren Kaeseberg, Judge James Zagel barred FBI wiretap evidence, Juror bias, Why was appeal delayed?

Blagojevich appeal filed July 15, 2013, Attorney Len Goodman, Lauren Kaeseberg, Judge James Zagel barred FBI wiretap evidence, Juror bias, Why was appeal delayed?

“Why did Judge James Zagel allow only 2 percent of the Blagojevich wiretaps to be released?”…Citizen Wells

“I can tell you that, based on court rules and procedures, Judge James Zagel carries some of the blame for the delay in the transcripts.

The question is, what was Judge Zagel’s motivation?”…Citizen Wells

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”…Citizen Wells, July 19, 2011

From The Oakland Press July 16, 2013.

“Blagojevich appeals convictions, stiff sentence”

“Lawyers for Rod Blagojevich filed an appeal Monday challenging the imprisoned former Illinois governor’s corruption conviction and stiff, 14-year prison term.

The lengthy filing with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago comes more than two years after the Chicago Democrat’s retrial and 16 months after he entered a federal prison in Colorado.

Jurors convicted Blagojevich, 56, of engaging in wide-ranging corruption, including that the two-term governor sought to profit from his power to appoint someone to the U.S. Senate seat that Barack Obama vacated to become president.

The appeal cites a juror who allegedly expressed a bias against Blagojevich who was seated despite the objections of defense attorneys. It also raises longstanding claims that Judge James Zagel barred FBI wiretap evidence that might have aided the defense and argues the judge miscalculated the appropriate prison term.

The appeal was filed about 30 minutes before a midnight deadline to do so.

In June, Blagojevich’s attorneys requested permission to file a longer-than-usual appeal, noting the trial produced 12,000 pages of transcripts. “The issues for appeal are numerous and complicated,” they wrote. The court agreed to let them file the equivalent of about 100 pages, which is what they did.

Blagojevich was convicted on 18 counts over two trials, jurors in the first deadlocking on all but one count. Taking the stand in the second, decisive trial in 2011, Blagojevich insisted his talking about wanting to sell Obama’s seat was just that — talk.

At his sentencing hearing later in 2011, an uncharacteristically deferential Blagojevich asked Zagel for mercy and said he accepted responsibility. He told the court in a hushed voice, “I caused it all.”

Despite those words, Zagel imposed a lengthy prison term, telling Blagojevich he had abused voters’ trust and undermined the democratic process “to do things that were only good for yourself.”

Many observers at the time said Blagojevich’s best hope on appeal wasn’t that a higher court would overturn his convictions but that appellate judges would agree his sentence was too harsh.”

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/07/16/news/doc51e4d91045f9d865437288.txt?viewmode=fullstory

The appeal.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/154180774/Blagojevich-Appeal

Judge James Zagel FISA judge, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, Blagojevich trial judge, April order access Verizon phone records, John Roberts appointment

Judge James Zagel FISA judge, Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, Blagojevich trial judge, April order access  Verizon phone records, John Roberts appointment

“Why did Judge James Zagel allow only 2 percent of the Blagojevich wiretaps to be released?”…Citizen Wells

“I can tell you that, based on court rules and procedures, Judge James Zagel carries some of the blame for the delay in the transcripts.

The question is, what was Judge Zagel’s motivation?”…Citizen Wells

From the Chicago SunTimes June 1o, 2013.

“Chicago judge Zagel sits on secret FISA surveillance court”

“U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel regularly presides over high-profile cases in Chicago — notably Rod Blagojevich’s corruption and the Family Secrets mob trials — but much lesser known is his secret role on the most secret court in the nation.

Zagel is one of 11 judges on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court — the court in the news because the April order signed by one of its judges, Roger Vinson, allowed the National Security Agency to collect tens of millions of Verizon phone records of its U.S. customers.

The court is nicknamed the “FISA Court” after the 1978 law creating it, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. A FISA Court judge approved a government request for the collection of Internet and social media records in the program code-named “PRISM.”

Combined, the Verizon and PRISM leaks have touched off a national debate about privacy and anti-terrorism surveillance in the post-9/11 era as well as whether self-admitted NSA leaker Edward Snowden — now in hiding — should be treated as a hero or a criminal, because it is only a matter of time before he faces a federal indictment.

From time to time Zagel leaves his high-ceiling courtroom in the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago, where the public is free to observe his trials, to travel to Washington for FISA Court business at the District Court building here, a short stroll from the Capitol.

According to FISA court spokesman Sheldon Snook, the 11 FISA judges rotate one-week stints in Washington, so Zagel leaves his bench in Chicago for FISA work as part of a regular routine.

A former Justice Department attorney I talked to — who handled FISA-related matters — told me FISA court personnel work in a secret room the intelligence community calls a “SKIFF” — a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility.

A SKIFF is a windowless secure room — it may be filled with white noise to avoid eavesdropping —where a FISA Court judge such as Zagel reviews highly classified applications from Justice Department lawyers to allow surveillance.

Zagel, 72, entered this secret world on May 18, 2008, tapped for the spot by John Roberts, the chief justice of the United States who appoints all the FISA Court judges. Zagel’s term runs to May 18, 2015.”

http://www.suntimes.com/20661189-761/chicago-judge-zagel-sits-on-secret-fisa-surveillance-court.html

Thanks to commenter Bessie.

Blagojevich blackmailing Obama Justice Dept.?, Illinois pay to play emails, ABC Brian Ross 2010 Blagojevich interview, Arpaio investigation supreme court cases and Obama gates cause rats to jump ship?

Blagojevich blackmailing Obama Justice Dept.?, Illinois pay to play emails, ABC Brian Ross 2010 Blagojevich interview, Arpaio investigation supreme court cases and Obama gates cause rats to jump ship?

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”…Citizen Wells, July 19, 2011

 

The delays in the prosecution and ultimately the appeal of Rod Blagojevich have led many, including myself, to suspect that some deal was struck with Obama and or the Justice Department that he controls.

From Citizen Wells May 21, 2013.

“We seem to be approaching a “perfect storm” of Obama controversies, any of which would have capsized a Republican president.

Obama’s pals in the mainstream media continue to minimize, mis report, under report and rectify news in an effort to protect Obama and themselves.

However, the brewing storm may be insurmountable for even the best Orwellian efforts of the Obama administration and the press.

Citizen Wells reported in 2008 that Obama had to win the election to keep from being prosecuted for Chicago corruption ties and involvement and for fraud in his eligibility and records. The same is true for 2012 and now Obama knows that he needs to maintain some control of congress with the 2014 elections.

That is, if he is still around then.

The spectre of Obama’s arrest, impeachment or resignation is more with us than ever.

Consider the following:

Project Gunrunner, aka Fast and Furious, has not been fully investigated.

Benghazi Gate.

IRS Gate.

USDOJ Gate.

The Sheriff Joe Arpaio investigation into the Obama birth certificate and other records is proceeding.

There are at least 2 eligibility cases active in state supreme courts.

Judge Roy Moore is the Supreme Court chief justice in Alabama. He has already questioned Obama’s eligibility and Mike Zullo of the Arpaio investigation has provided a lengthy affidavit.

Appellant H. Brooke Paige is awaiting decisions from the Vermont Supreme Court on several issues. He has challenged Obama’s natural born citizen status due to the father being Kenyan/British.

The Blagojevich appeal is still in the works. Many believe he expects a pardon or other assistance from Obama.

The FDIC lawsuit against Mutual Bank et al is still alive. This is the bank that loaned Rita Rezko the money for the lot adjacent to the Obama’s that was subsequently sold to them.

One has to wonder that if Obama appears to be in jeopardy if Blagojevich or even Rezko will talk.

Don’t believe Obama can be touched?

From WND May 19, 2013.

“HALF OF AMERICA WANTS OBAMA IMPEACHED”

“The faux stone columns from his Denver acceptance speech are crumbling, the fireworks have fizzled and the unadulterated adulation of Barack Obama is a sour feeling of disillusion, as a new poll reveals half of America wants him impeached, including a stunning one in four Democrats.

“It may be early in the process for members of Congress to start planning for impeachment of Barack Obama, but the American public is building a serious appetite for it,” said Fritz Wenzel, of Wenzel Strategies, which did the telephone poll Thursday. It has a margin of error of 4.36 percent.

“Half or nearly half of those surveyed said they believed Obama should be impeached for the trifecta of scandals now consuming Washington.””

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/obama-arrest-impeachment-resignation-imminent-benghazi-gate-irs-gate-usdoj-gate-al-vt-supreme-court-eligibility-cases-arpaio-investigation-blagojevich-appeal-fdic-mutual-bank-lawsuit/

From Illinois Pay to Play May 29, 2013.

“Hey, Chicago Tribune: Why are you helping Rod Blagojevich blackmail the Feds?”

“A proven reliable source reports that Rod Blagojevich is attempting to blackmail his way out of prison.

And, there are indications that the feds are in the process of capitulating to Blago’s demands, aided by the collaborative assistance of the ChicagoTribune, in what amounts to a cover-up of a crime.

(Read this email thread from bottom to top)

Top

—–Original Message—–

From: <redacted>

To: Len Goodman

Sent: 2013-05-24 17:24:37 +0000

Subject: Is it a real appeal?

Mr. Len Goodman

It has come to my attention, that there is a strong possibility your client Rod Blagojevich is blackmailing former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and the federal government.

Are you familiar with the interview Rod Blagojevich did with Brian Ross?”

“From:<redacted>

To: “Randall Samborn” <Randall.Samborn@usdoj.gov>

Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 1:00:28 PM

Subject: Fwd: Brian Ross 8-26-2010 Blago threatens

Randall Samborn

Looks like Rod Blagojevich’s decision to go the route of extortion might be working for him? . In plain site on ABC.

Do you think if he does not get the deal he wants Rod Blagojevich will tell the public the information Patrick Fitzgerald supposedly wanted the morning he arrested Blago.

More important does Patrick Fitzgerald want information about corruption at the level that Blago speaks of in this interview.

Blago say’s some very telling things in this interview with Brian Ross that will help expose the truth. Simple questions, who told John Chase that the feds had a wire on Blagojevich and that John Wyma was cooperating with U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.

Who,what,why,when and where was the decision made to warn Blago ?

Why is no one asking ? That last question was rhetorical, I know why no one is asking.

Randall, lets not forget our discussions about these matters. Maybe this is one of those times that calls for a Special Counsel to be appointed.

Trial or not, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered starting with the ones John Chase has never answered.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx”

Read more:

http://illinoispaytoplay.com/2013/05/29/hey-chicago-tribune-why-are-you-helping-rod-blagojevich-blackmail-the-feds/

ABC Brian Ross Blagojevich 2010 interview.

“Former Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich recognizes that daunting challenges await as prosecutors prepare to mount a new effort to convict him on corruption charges, but he told ABC News Friday he sees a triumphant political comeback in his future that will be no less dramatic than the one pulled off by Winston Churchill.

“I’m not ruling out doing something I’ve spent my whole adult life doing,” Blagojevich said when asked about a possible return to politics. “I believe some of the greatest stories in history are some of the great comebacks. You think about Winston Churchill, I mean he spent years in the political wilderness … . If Churchill can comeback from something like that, when I’m vindicated, I certainly don’t write myself off.”

Blagojevich sat down with ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross Friday as he embarked on a media tour aimed at recovering his reputation in the aftermath of a (mostly) favorable courtroom verdict – a jury this week found him guilty on only one of 24 counts, lying to federal agents. The panel could not find agreement any of the corruption charges, including most sensational government claim, that he attempted to cash-in the senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama for a new job or for campaign contributions.

The now famous Chicago pol-turned-reality TV star — known better as “Blago” — spent the 80-minute interview casting himself in the role of the persecuted David. Goliath, in this telling, was a team of federal prosecutors that remains hell-bent on collecting the scalp that sits under his generous mop of thick brown hair.

“This is a person determined to get his trophy,” he said of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.

Blagojevich told ABC News that shortly after his 2008 arrest, investigators tried to convince him to offer damaging information on “folks in higher places” in exchange for lenience. Blagojevich said that Obama, even more than himself, had a longstanding, close association with Antoin “Tony” Rezko, the Chicago real estate developer who had become the subject of his own federal probe – one that ultimately led to Rezko’s conviction on fraud and bribery charges. The former governor said his very first meeting with Obama, then about to join the Illinois senate, came by way of Rezko’s personal introduction.

Blagojevich said that in late 2008, having just arrived in his jail cell, investigators approached him for information.

“When they had me in custody they were very clear about they wanted me to cooperate and talk about people in higher places ,and with all due respect to Mayor Daley, there’s no one higher than Governor,” he said.

“You’re talking about then president-elect Obama?” Ross asked.

“I’m not saying that right now.” Asked who else he could mean, Blagojevich shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Is it your impression they were thinking about Obama?” Ross pressed.

“I have my own personal opinion but from where I’m sitting right now it’s probably better for me not to talk about it.” He then grinned, “If I’m guilty of anything it’s that I talk too much.”

The case laid out against the former Illinois governor was built over the course of a six-year investigation that delved into a range of state contracts, political donations, and allegations of backroom deals. Much of it rested on hundreds of hours of recorded telephone conversations, including dozens between Blagojevich and his top advisers. It broke dramatically into the public realm in late 2008, as prosecutors alleged the governor was attempting to cash in an extremely valuable political chit – the newly open senate seat that had been vacated by Obama.

In one tape, Blagojevich can be heard telling an aide “I mean I, I’ve got this thing and it’s [bleep]ing golden … And I, I’m just not giving it up for [bleeping nothing.”

Blagojevich said the tapes may sound boorish, but they only capture what he called “routine” musings and brainstorming with his lawyers and advisers about the options arrayed before him.

“I was discussing ideas,” he said. “Good ones, stupid ones, ugly ones, just discussing ideas, thinking out loud. Discussing different scenarios.”

Ross asked, “You really believe this is routine politics? This is what politics is?”

Blagojevich replied: “It’s routine political horse trading. Say what you will, this is how the system works.”

Later, Blagojevich defended his decision to allow his children to attend his trial – something jurors said afterwards they found distasteful. He said his 14-year-old daughter asked him to allow her to attend. Once he consented, he said his younger daughter, who is seven, did not want to be left behind.

The federal case against him, he added, has taken a severe toll on his family. He recounted how he heard his younger child playing out a conversation between two dolls in which one doll said to the other, “You know I know you lied about me because you want to put me in jail but I’m still your friend.”

“I found that heartbreaking because my little one is actually picking up some of the dynamics of this case where I’ve had some friends that have lied about me and she knows that happens,” the former governor said. “She knows that there was one we didn’t win and the others we’re in a good place on, but we’re going to work on that.”

Blagojevich said that he would, under no condition, accept a plea deal that would require him to admit guilt in any of the corruption allegations – even a deal that allowed him to stay out of prison. On the one guilty count alone, he could face a five year sentence, though he vowed to appeal.

“The real world of politics, Brian, is rough and tumble business,” he said.”

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/blago-winston-churchill-mount-dramatic-comeback/t/story?id=11448425

Obama nomination of John Wyma attorney Zach Fardon to replace Patrick Fitzgerald conflict of interest, More Obama stacking of USDOJ, Wyma Obama involvement in Health Board corruption and senate seat selling

Obama nomination of John Wyma attorney Zach Fardon to replace Patrick Fitzgerald conflict of interest, More Obama stacking of USDOJ, Wyma Obama involvement in Health Board corruption and senate seat selling

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“The defense also questioned whether the government fully investigated Rezko’s allegations — which were the subject of recent court filings — that Wyma was involved in a specific bribery scheme at the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.”…Chicago Tribune November 29, 2011

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

 

Barack Obama and John Wyma are both tied to Chicago corruption scandals including the rigging of the IL Health Planning Facilities Board and the selling of Obama’s senate seat.

Now Obama has nominated John Wyma’s attorney, Zach Fardon to replace Patrick Fitzgerald in the USDOJ.

Pre Obama this was considered a conflict of interest.

In the Obama Big Brother regime this is status quo.

From Citizen Wells December 2, 2011.

“Most of what we are fed from the media about Blagojevich is in regard to the alleged selling of Obama’s senate seat. As I have stated repeatedly, that was a cleverly crafted diversion. The Justice Department has added to this charade by dropping counts 1,2 and 4 against Blagojevich which contain references to much of the earlier corruption tied to Obama, specifically the rigging of the IL Health Planning Board. Today’s hearing is in regard to a motion about the testimony of John Wyma. I was pleased to find that 2 reports out of Chicago did not limit references to just the alleged selling of the senate seat.

From the Chicago Tribune November 29, 2011.

“With one week to go before former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is sentenced for widespread public corruption, his attorneys have asked a federal judge to consider what they say is new evidence regarding a key government witness.”

“In the filing, Blagojevich’s defense team referenced the recent sentencing of Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko. Rezko was sentenced to 10 1/2 years in prison last week.

In their filing, Blagojevich’s attorneys say prosecutors failed to tell the judge who approved wiretaps for the Blagojevich investigation that then-staffer John Wyma, who was a confidential informant for the government, had cut a deal to avoid being investigated.

But Wyma’s attorney denied his client had any agreement with the government in 2008 when he agreed to be a confidential informant.

“There was never any understanding he would not be investigated,” attorney Zach Fardon said. “He cooperated truthfully with no preconditions.”

Wyma later received immunity from the government when he was subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury.

The defense also questioned whether the government fully investigated Rezko’s allegations — which were the subject of recent court filings — that Wyma was involved in a specific bribery scheme at the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-blagojevich-filings-20111129,0,3280336.story

From the Chicago SunTimes November 28, 2011.

“Blago’s lawyers want hearing based on new John Wyma information

Rod Blagojevich’s lawyers are asking for a special hearing to discuss what they say is new information regarding a key witness at the former governor’s trial.

They are asking U.S. District Judge James Zagel for an evidentiary hearing regarding the testimony of onetime Blagojevich friend and lobbyist John Wyma, arguing they weren’t allowed to properly cross examine him at trial. It was Wyma’s cooperation in 2008 that led to FBI wiretaps against the now-convicted ex-governor.

In a weekend filing, lawyers questioned whether the government properly vetted information against Wyma that was provided by a cooperating Tony Rezko. Rezko, a onetime fund-raiser to Blagojevich convicted on 16 counts of corruption, was sentenced to 10 ½ years last week.

In filings regarding Rezko’s sentencing, Wyma’s cooperation with the government is discussed, including that Rezko told prosecutors that he tried to extract a campaign contribution through Wyma from Provena Health, whom Wyma represented as a lobbyist at the time.

Lawyers question whether bribery was involved when Provena was granted a certificate of need from an Illinois hospital board. Rezko told prosecutors in private sessions that Provena had a dispute with someone on the hospital board and resolved it by paying the board member, according to the Blagojevich defense filing. Prosecutors say the charge was unsubstantiated.”

Read more:

http://www.suntimes.com/9114418-417/blagos-lawyers-want-hearing-based-on-new-john-wyma-information.html

Perhaps the effort to throw Obama under the bus is underway.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/john-wyma-testimony-blagojevich-hearing-december-2-2011-wyma-chicago-corruption-ties-media-and-justice-department-protect-obama/

From CNS News May 23, 2013.

The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor who helped send former Illinois Gov. George Ryan to prison for corruption to head the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago, Illinois’ senators announced Thursday.

Zachary Fardon would replace Patrick Fitzgerald, who stepped down last summer to enter private practice. Fitzgerald rose to national prominence during more than a decade in the office and successfully convicted two Illinois governors, including Ryan. The U.S. Senate must confirm President Barack Obama’s nomination of Fardon.

Both of Illinois’ senators, Democrat Dick Durbin and Republican Mark Kirk, support the choice.

“Zachary Fardon will be an exceptional U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois,” Durbin said in a news release announcing the nomination.”

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/new-federal-prosecutor-nominated-chicago

 

Consider this from chicago1st December 5, 2008.

“All of this follows the recent conviction of Tony Rezko and his apparent cooperation with prosecutors as well as the indictment of William Cellini for extorting campaign contributions for Blago from a film producer. What are the odds Sen. Durbin will be writing President Obama in 2012 or 2016 to commute Blago’s sentence?”

http://chicagoist.com/2008/12/05/blago_gets_snared_in_the_wire.php

Obama nominates Zachary Fardon to replace Patrick Fitzgerald, Fardon represented John Wyma Blagojevich friend crony, Wyma avoided prosecution by being witness

Obama nominates Zachary Fardon to replace Patrick Fitzgerald, Fardon represented John Wyma Blagojevich friend crony, Wyma avoided prosecution by being witness

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

 

From CNS News May 23, 2013.

“New federal prosecutor nominated for Chicago”

The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor who helped send former Illinois Gov. George Ryan to prison for corruption to head the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago, Illinois’ senators announced Thursday.

Zachary Fardon would replace Patrick Fitzgerald, who stepped down last summer to enter private practice. Fitzgerald rose to national prominence during more than a decade in the office and successfully convicted two Illinois governors, including Ryan. The U.S. Senate must confirm President Barack Obama’s nomination of Fardon.

Both of Illinois’ senators, Democrat Dick Durbin and Republican Mark Kirk, support the choice.

“Zachary Fardon will be an exceptional U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois,” Durbin said in a news release announcing the nomination. “I spoke to him today and advised him that he’ll have to hit the ground running and immediately focus on daily gang and gun violence plaguing the streets of Chicago.”

Kirk called Fardon “an outstanding pick to continue Patrick Fitzgerald’s tradition of aggressively prosecuting criminal activity that threatens northern Illinois.”

The post is widely regarded as Chicago’s second-most powerful job, after the mayor. The chief prosecutor and around 170 assistant attorneys also have an impact beyond Illinois, including by handling major terrorism cases.

Fardon, a partner at the Chicago law firm Latham Watkins, was on the team of federal prosecutors who secured convictions against Ryan in 2006. In that case and in others, Fardon gained a reputation as an adept, quick-witted cross-examiner.

Fardon also served in the U.S. attorney’s office in Nashville, Tenn., and later entered private practice. Among his clients was John Wyma, a longtime lobbyist and friend of former Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, whose testimony helped convict Ryan of corruption.”

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/new-federal-prosecutor-nominated-chicago

From the Chicago SunTimes July 27, 2010.

“Sam Adam Jr. has just accused President Barack Obama and his transition team of negotiating with Blagojevich.

The offer came from Rod to Tom Balanoff, Adam says. Balanoff brought it to Valerie Jarrett and word came back from Rahm Emanuel through John Wyma. It’s a negotiation they were in, he said of Obama and Blagojevich.”

Read more:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/blago/2010/07/sam_adam_jr_accuses_barack_oba.html

From ABC News December 12, 2008.

“Blagojevich Confidant Turned Informant”
“For years, John Wyma has been one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s closest allies. He served as Blagojevich’s chief of staff in Congress and was a key advisor in his 2002 campaign for governor. When his former boss took over the statehouse, Wyma remained a central fundraiser and counselor, but also had Blagojevich’s ear as a lobbyist. But now this longtime advisor and old friend has become one of the most significant cooperators in the government’s efforts to put Blagojevich behind bars.

Wyma, 41, was close to much of the alleged wrongdoing during the feds’ five-year probe, and he remains a subject of the government’s investigation into the Illinois Health Planning Facilities Board, according to the criminal complaint for Blagojevich. But Wyma’s turn from confidant to informant ultimately inched prosecutors to the governor’s most recent — and most brazen — alleged attempts to trade political favors for campaign cash, the complaint states.

A fixture of the Blagojevich’s inner circle, Wyma as a lobbyist routinely traveled with the governor, flying with him during official state trips more than a dozen times during his first term, according to the Chicago Sun Times.

For years, John Wyma has been one of Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s closest allies. He served as Blagojevich’s chief of staff in Congress and was a key advisor in his 2002 campaign for governor. When his former boss took over the statehouse, Wyma remained a central fundraiser and counselor, but also had Blagojevich’s ear as a lobbyist. But now this longtime advisor and old friend has become one of the most significant cooperators in the government’s efforts to put Blagojevich behind bars.

A friend of the governor for more than a decade, on the day before his arrest Blagojevich told reporters he and Wyma talked football the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

“You can’t get much closer than they are to each other,” said Rich Miller who runs the Illinois political insider blog Capitol Fox. “[Wyma’s] a lobbyist but he’s almost never in Springfield lobbying legislators. He virtually only lobbies the governor at his home in Chicago.”

Wyma could not be reached for comment, despite multiple calls and visits to his office and addresses listed in his name. His attorney, former federal prosecutor Zachary Fardon, who helped put former Illinois Governor George Ryan in jail, said in an email statement today that “There are news stories indicating that my client, John Wyma, is “Individual A” in the criminal complaint against Governor Rod Blagojevich. Mr. Wyma has made efforts to provide federal investigators with truthful information regarding the matters under investigation and will continue to do so. Out of respect for the ongoing process, we are making no further statements related to these matters at this time.”

Individual A
Those efforts began just months ago, in October, when, according to the criminal complaint released in the wake of the governor ‘s arrest Tuesday, Wyma — believed to be the person identified in documents only as Individual A — began talking with the FBI. The timing hardly seems a coincidence: it dovetails with the weeks, according to published accounts, that Wyma was named in a subpoena sent to former client Provena Health. The hospital company had donated money to the governor ‘s campaign shortly after receiving a favorable ruling.

Whatever his role in the hospital donations, Wyma’s cooperation soon proved fruitful to prosecutors. According to the criminal complaint, Wyma is one of the key sources to the source of the tip that Blagojevich is using the final months of the year to raise funds through payoffs before the new state ethics law goes into effect in January. That law would sharply limit any individual or entity with state contracts worth more than $50,000 from donating to the governor’s campaign coffers.”

Read more:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ConductUnbecoming/story?id=6444648&page=1#.UZ6fhEA3vhI

From the McHenry County blog October 24, 2008.

“Health Facilities Planning Board Controversy Again”

“Last time it was the Mercy Health System’s attempt to obtain the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board’s approval.

Joseph Levine, Jim Ryan’s biggest fund raiser turned Rod Blagojevich buddy, fixed the favorable outcome after his contractor buddy Jacob Kiferbaum got the nod from Mercy to build the Crystal Lake hospital. Kiferbaum agreed to kick back to Levine and Tony Rezko.

To put it in the words of the U.S. Attorney’s press release on the Tony Rezko indictment:
“Rezko and Levine also were seeking to obtain a kickback of at least $1 million from contractor Jacob Kiferbaum, whose construction company was to build a new facility for Mercy Hospital in Crystal Lake, Illinois, if that facility received approval from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, on which Levine sat.”

In any event, this time the controversy is down the Fox Valley in Elgin and concerns Provena St. Joe’s being granted permission to conduct open heart surgery after hiring John Wyma.

The gist of the Chicago Tribune story by Ray Long and Jeff Coen is that Provena hired Wyma. About a month after having gotten permission to expand its medical service, Provena’s for-profit arm made a $25,000 contribution to Governor Blagojevich’s campaign fund.”

http://mchenrycountyblog.com/category/john-wyma/

JohnWyma

 

Obama pardons echo Clinton Holder pardon of Marc Rich?, Last months of Obama administration ugly?, Who is going to pardon Obama?

Obama pardons echo Clinton Holder pardon of Marc Rich?, Last months of Obama administration ugly?, Who is going to pardon Obama?

“Why has Obama, since taking the White House, used Justice Department Attorneys, at taxpayer expense,  to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Mutual Bank fire whistleblower Kenneth J Conner after he
challenged the appraisal on the land purchased by Rita Rezko, just
prior to the land sale to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

 

The following was written by Debra J. Saunders of the San Francisco Chronicle and reported at the Greensboro News Record on May 22, 2013.
“Obama may use power to pardon sparingly, if at all”

“Last week, Attorney General Eric Holder gave Washington a preview of how the last few months of the Obama administration are going to look, and they’re going to be ugly.

Holder knows ugly. He was, after all, deputy attorney general when President Bill Clinton issued his infamous 140 out-the-door pardons to unworthies such as Marc Rich, who fled to Switzerland after federal prosecutors issued a 51-count indictment against him in 1983 for tax evasion, racketeering and illegal trading with Iran. Even though Rich was a fugitive from federal prosecution, Holder issued a “neutral, leaning towards favorable” opinion on the pardon; Rich’s attorney also used to be Clinton’s attorney.”

Will Obama pardon Blagojevich?

Was a deal struck just before Blagojevich was arrested in 2008?

ObamaBlagoNov2008

From Citizen Wells May 21, 2013.

One has to wonder that if Obama appears to be in jeopardy if Blagojevich or even Rezko will talk.

Don’t believe Obama can be touched?

From WND May 19, 2013.

“HALF OF AMERICA WANTS OBAMA IMPEACHED”

“The faux stone columns from his Denver acceptance speech are crumbling, the fireworks have fizzled and the unadulterated adulation of Barack Obama is a sour feeling of disillusion, as a new poll reveals half of America wants him impeached, including a stunning one in four Democrats.

“It may be early in the process for members of Congress to start planning for impeachment of Barack Obama, but the American public is building a serious appetite for it,” said Fritz Wenzel, of Wenzel Strategies, which did the telephone poll Thursday. It has a margin of error of 4.36 percent.

“Half or nearly half of those surveyed said they believed Obama should be impeached for the trifecta of scandals now consuming Washington.””

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2013/05/21/obama-arrest-impeachment-resignation-imminent-benghazi-gate-irs-gate-usdoj-gate-al-vt-supreme-court-eligibility-cases-arpaio-investigation-blagojevich-appeal-fdic-mutual-bank-lawsuit/

Who is going to pardon Obama?

Obama update May 3, 2013, Jobs, Birth Certificate, Records, Chicago corruption court cases, Muslim Saudi ties, Benghazi, Fast & Furious, Gunrunner vs gun control

Obama update May 3, 2013, Jobs, Birth Certificate, Records, Chicago corruption court cases, Muslim Saudi ties, Benghazi, Fast & Furious, Gunrunner vs gun control

“Why has Obama, since taking the White House, used Justice Department Attorneys, at taxpayer expense,  to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells

“Khalid Al-Mansour was “raising money” for Obama.”
“Khalid Al-Mansour was trying to help Obama get into Harvard Law School.”…Percy Sutton

“With a 63.7% labor force participation, “conditions in the labor market are considerably worse than indicated” in July’s report”…economist Joshua Shapiro, WSJ August 3, 2012

Jobs

The (stated) unemployment rate for April is 7.5 percent.
The labor force participation rate is 63.3 percent. That is  2.8 percent lower than when Obama took office.

ADP just reported that 119,000 private sector were added in March. 150,000 were forecast.
The number of people with part time jobs is growing. A direct result of the economy and Obamacare.
Perhaps the best indicator is the fact that 20 %, 1 out of 5 Americans are on food stamps.

Birth Certificate.

A challenge to Obama being on the ballot in Alabama is scheduled to be before the Alabama Supreme Court headed by Judge Roy Moore. It is believed that the Sheriff Joe Arpaio investigation and investigator Mike Zullo will cooperate in the court case.

Records

Obama has still not released his college records.
We know that Saudi ties helped him enter Harvard. His college records should be interesting. Remember, he bowed to the saudi king.

Chicago corruption court cases

Blagojevich appeal.

It is believed that Blagojevich attorney Lauren Kaeseberg requested an extension to file an opening brief. She has not returned my email request.

FDIC vs Amrish Mahajan, et al.

This is the bank that loaned Rita Rezko the money for the lot purchase that was subsequently sold in part to the Obamas. The lawsuit is still open.

Benghazi

Whistleblowers have come forward. Obama has denied attempts to silence them.
A senior US law enforcement official stated that 3 or 4 members of al Qaeda took part in the attack.
The internal panel that probed the Benghazi attack is under investigation.

Gunrunner vs gun control

Obama may be fairing better with Project Gunrunner than he is at federal attempts at gun control.
However, several states are moving forward with legislation.

Blagojevich appeal attorney Len Goodman on Obama drone program, Drone Justice is Blind, There’s no way President Obama can fairly review each drone strike

Blagojevich appeal attorney Len Goodman on Obama drone program, Drone Justice is Blind, There’s no way President Obama can fairly review each drone strike

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”…Citizen Wells, July 19, 2011

I am still awaiting word if the opening brief in the Blagojevich appeal was presented today, April 25, 2013.

Len ( Leonard) Goodman is one of the defense attorneys in the Blagojevich appeal.

From the Len Goodman attorney website.

“Biography

Leonard Goodman is a Chicago criminal defense attorney with a reputation for taking on, and winning, the most difficult cases.  Since graduating from Northwestern University School of Law in 1989, Mr. Goodman has devoted his career to the representation of persons charged with serious crimes and has been a strong advocate for the cause of justice.  He has tried criminal cases in state and federal courts throughout the Midwest.  His appellate practice is nationwide.

Mr. Goodman has the rare distinction of having won major criminal cases at every level of the state and federal court systems, including wins (obtaining the reversal of his clients’ criminal convictions) in the United States Supreme Court (drug conspiracy conviction), the Illinois Supreme Court (first degree murder), the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (first degree murder) and the Illinois Appellate Court (two first degree murders and one attempted murder). The appeals that he has briefed and argued have helped change the law and advance the cause of justice (See significant cases).

He has represented high-profile defendants and the indigent, all with equal vigor and has won awards for his work on behalf of the wrongfully convicted and on behalf of an Afghani man detained at Guantanamo Bay without charges or evidence of any wrongdoing.

Mr. Goodman is also an adjunct professor of Law at Depaul University where he teaches Federal Habeas Corpus.”

http://lengoodmanlawoffice.com/wp/biography/

From In These Times April 10, 2013.

“Drone Justice is Blind

There’s no way President Obama can fairly review each drone strike.

BY LEONARD C. GOODMAN

For the first time in history, the United States government has proclaimed its legal right to assassinate any person, anywhere on the globe, as long as our chief executive believes that person to be a terrorist. President Barack Obama has said that most of the people we are incinerating are “al-Qaeda suspects who are up in very tough terrain along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Precise numbers are hard to come by, due to the secrecy under which the drone program operates. But the various groups that track drone strikes agree that since Obama took office, more than 350 strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia have killed at least 2,400 people. This means, outside of Afghanistan, U.S. drones are killing on average at least 47 people a month. If you include drone strikes in Afghanistan,the numbers are much larger.

The administration’s claim as to the legality of these strikes relies on the fiction that a rigorous review of evidence takes place before a “terrorist” is targeted. However, no matter how smart and reasonable Obama might be, he is not personally reviewing the evidence against most of the people we are killing. In fact, according to CNN, at least half of drone strike deaths have been the result of “signature strikes,” in which drone operators decide, based on visual evidence of suspicious behavior, to fire on people whose identities they don’t even know. As one government official told the New York Times, to the CIA, “three guys doing jumping jacks” looks suspiciously like a terrorist training camp.

We are told that drone killings neutralize imminent threats to America, but we need only consider the numbers to know we are being lied to. There cannot be 50 people every month who were on the verge of launching an attack on the U.S. until they were “neutralized” by a drone. We therefore must ask: To whom did each targeted person pose a threat? Were they a threat to U.S. military bases or CIA installations located within their country? Were they a threat to corporate interests located within their country? Were they a threat to the regime that governs their country and allows us to fly the drones?”

Read more:

http://inthesetimes.com/article/14835/drone_justice_is_blind/

Blagojevich appeal opening brief April 25, 2013, Or more delays?, Attorneys Goodman and Kaeseberg, What were Obama and Blagojevich discussing in 2008?

Blagojevich appeal opening brief April 25, 2013, Or more delays?, Attorneys Goodman and Kaeseberg, What were Obama and Blagojevich discussing in 2008?

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”…Citizen Wells, July 19, 2011

Barack Obama has been protected from the beginning of the prosecution in “Operation Board Games” involving a host of Obama Chicago corruption cronies such as Tony Rezko, Stuart Levine and of course Rod Blagojevich.

From FBI wiretaps of Blagojevich on November 12, 2008.

“this guy is more Tony’d up than I am. …. they got the Chicago media to f…ing make me wear Rezko more. To f…ing dilute it from him”

“BLAGOJEVICH: You know, Axelrod and Obama’s people, you know, clearly turned, you know, got the Chicago media to make Rezko all about me. And hardly about…

HARRIS: Yeah, in other words, they focus their,they focus their attention on you. They couldn’t make it go away so the bes-, next best strategy is deflect it.

BLAGOJEVICH: Right.

HARRIS: This is somewhere where it, it’ll satisfy the, the hunger of the beast, being the media.

BLAGOJEVICH: Right, right.

HARRIS: Yeah, it makes sense. It’s not a stretch. If I’m, if I’m his message advisor, media advisor or whatever, operative, yeah I’m gonna try to feed the beast by giving ‘em something else to eat on.”

What were Obama and Blagojevich discussing just after the 2008 election?

ObamaBlagoNov2008

And…..

“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, the Governor of Illinois, wiretapped at least by 2005 when it was known in 2003 that there was widespread corruption in his administration?”

From Politico March 15, 2013.

“And next up for the former governor, Goodman said, is his case on appeal in the 7th Circuit. Blagojevich’s opening brief is due April 25, Goodman noted.

“He is hopeful that his appeal will be successful and that his conviction will be overturned,” Goodman wrote.”

“Goodman, meanwhile, said he is currently busy working his way through thousands of pages of trial transcript as he works on Blagojevich’s appeal.”

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/03/rod-blagojevich-jail-88904.html?hp=r6

From Chicago CBS local September 14, 2012.

“Attorneys Think Blagojevich’s Sentence Will Be Reversed On Appeal”

“Attorneys in the first trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich still keep in touch with him, and think his sentence will be reversed on appeal if the case ever gets there.

As WBBM Newsradio’s Alex Degman reports, the team of Sam Adam Jr. and his father, Sam Adam Sr., say the Blagojevich appeal is taking forever to get to court.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Alex Degman reports
“We’re just waiting to get to the appeal,” Adam Jr. said. “I don’t know if you guys know this, that the appellate record has not been made yet. We still do not have the transcripts. It’s been two years since our trial, and a year since the second trial.”
Adam Sr. says there is a good chance the former governor will be freed if all the evidence is presented.

“The judge would not let him play his tapes… there had tapes in both trials that would have established his innocence. The judge wouldn’t let us play them,” he said.”

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/09/14/attorneys-think-blagojevichs-sentence-will-be-reversed-on-appeal/