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?
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.””
“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
“The question that I had in my mind, was why did we not do something to protect our forces?”…Charles Woods, father of slain Navy Seal
“Why did Mutual Bank fire whistleblower Kenneth J Connor after he
challenged the appraisal on the land purchased by Rita Rezko, just
prior to the land sale to Obama?”…Citizen Wells
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.””
Read more:
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
“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.”
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?”
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?
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.”
“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.”
Obama news April 15, 2013, Chicago corruption and TUCC ties haunt Obama, Jacob Kiferbaum Blagojevich Rezko Mutual Bank Jeri Wright, Obama’s ghosts will not go away
“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
“He kept his eye on the young guys coming up in Trinity,” she said, “and if he spotted someone that acted or looked gay, then Wright would give them kind of a guidance counselor-type direction on how to keep down low – how to do the things they wanted to do, but then also getting married and looking ‘respectable’ – being part of black society.”...WND October 2, 2012
“Why did Donald Young, Bill Gwatney, Christopher Kelly, Andrew Breitbart and others with information about Obama all die under mysterious circumstances?”…Citizen Wells
April or perhaps spring 2013 could be the perfect storm of Obama’s Chicago corruption and TUCC ghosts returning to haunt him and keep alive the sordid mess he came from. The spectre of his oft hidden past.
On April 10, 2013 we learned that Building contractor Jacob Kiferbaum plead guilty to attempted extortion in an amended plea deal. Kiferbaum was indicted in 2005.
Then we learn that Jeri Wright, the daughter of Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s pastor at TUCC, was indicted. She was a deacon in 2007 when Obama was attending and when the gay choirmaster Donald Young was murdered.
From Citizen Wells April 14, 2013.
“Another indictment returned today charges Jeri L. Wright, 47, of Hazel Crest, Ill., with money laundering (two counts), making false statements to federal law enforcement officers (two counts), and giving false testimony before a grand jury (seven counts), related to the investigation of the alleged fraudulent use of grant funds.”
“PASTORAL/PROGRAM STAFF”
“Deacon Jeri L. Wright, Director of Media”
“The Down Low Club at Trinity “doesn’t have meetings, and it isn’t like the Rotary Club,” a source identified for this article as “Carolyn” explained to a WND investigator in Chicago.
“It was more that Wright served as a matchmaker,” said Carolyn, a 20-year member of Trinity who has played a role in church administration and knows the Obamas personally.”
““That’s what Wright did for Obama,” she claimed. “He connected Obama in the community, and he helped Obama hide his homosexuality.””
“I’m still scared to discuss any of this,” Carolyn said.
“At Trinity, if you even hint at talking about Obama being gay, you are reminded of our dear departed choir director,” she said. “He was killed, and it wasn’t a robbery. The Christmas presents weren’t touched. The TV was not taken, nothing in the apartment was missing.”
Carolyn’s reference was to Donald Young, the 47-year-old homosexual choirmaster at Trinity who died of multiple gunshot wounds in his Chicago apartment Dec. 24, 2007.”
I’ll bet you have not read the following connection between Jacob Kiferbaum and Obama at the mainstream media.
From the Blagojevich Evidentiary Proffer.
“Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board Kickback
“The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board (the “Planning Board”) is a commission of the State of Illinois, established by statute, whose members are appointed by the Governor of the State of Illinois. During the relevant time period, the Planning Board consisted of nine individuals. State law required an entity seeking to build a hospital, medical office building, or other medical facility in Illinois to obtain a permit, known as a “Certificate of Need” (“CON”), from the Planning Board prior to beginning construction.
Rezko was able to obtain significant influence over the affairs of the Planning Board by arranging for Blagojevich to appoint five of Rezko’s associates and/or friends, including Levine, as members of the Planning Board in 2003. Rezko and Levine subsequently agreed to use their influence over the Planning Board to obtain a kickback of at least $1 million from a contractor, Jacob Kiferbaum, who wanted the Planning Board to award Mercy Hospital a CON to build a new
hospital. Rezko and Levine were able to arrange for Mercy Hospital to receive its CON at the April 2004 Planning Board meeting, but their scheme was interrupted by the FBI before any kickback was paid”
Obama was chairman of the IL Senate Committee which reduced the members of the Health Planning Board from 15 to 9 thus allowing the board to be rigged with a 5 member majority.
From Citizen Wells July 27, 2011.
“Jan. – Aug. 2003: Obama was Chairman of the IL Senate Health and Human Service Committee. Feb. 20, 2003: Senate Bill 1332 “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act” filed. Reduced members of IL Health Planning and Facilities Board from 15 to 9.
(Rezko Trial March 13, 2008; 3:09 p.m.)
“Almanaseer was appointed to the planning board in 2003 on Rezko’s recommendation. Prosecutors contend he became part of a five-member voting bloc on the board that followed Rezko’s wishes. Almanaseer said board Chairman Thomas Beck tried to steer his voting.
“He said, ‘If you just don’t know which way to vote, vote the way Mr. Levine votes because that’s the way Tony would want the vote to go,” Almanaseer recalled, referring to Stuart Levine.”
Spring 2003 – Nov 2003: (Rezko trial March 11, 2008; 10:58 a.m.)
“Jennifer Thomas, a former aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s patronage chief Joe Cini, continued on the stand Tuesday morning and gave a few more insights into those regular Monday morning meetings she and Cini held in 2003 with Antoin “Tony” Rezko at his office.”
“Thomas said Rezko floated the names of several people to sit on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, which the government claims Rezko corrupted with the help of board member Stuart Levine. And Thomas said Rezko at one point made it clear that he wanted to see Levine reappointed to the panel, which was being overhauled by the governor in 2003.” May 21, 2003: Senate Bill 1332 passed by House and Senate. June 27, 2003: Blagojevich made this the effective date of Senate Bill 1332. June 2003: (Rezko trial March 10, 2008; 4:16 p.m.)
“Ziegelmueller asked Hayden about a 2003 e-mail exchange with Lichtenstein, then the governor’s top lawyer, in which Wilhelm made recommendations for the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board.
The name of Barack Obama, the Democratic front-runner for the presidential nomination, also appears in the e-mail as a member of a strategic team reviewing hospital board matters with the governor’s staff when he was a state senator. The hospital board was scheduled to be revamped in the summer of 2003.
Obama was then chairman of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services.”
The long delayed prosecution of Rod Blagojevich and subsequent delay of his appeal should achieve another milestone this month.
“Blagojevich’s appellate lawyer Len Goodman — who, along with attorney Lauren Kaeseberg, is working on the appeal — told POLITICO that Blagojevich’s family visits him “as often as they can make the trip” to Englewood, a low-security facility in Littleton, Colo.”
“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.””
And yes folks, the fallout from the Obama Rezko lot transaction and associated chicanery is not over. The FDIC lawsuit against Amrish Mahajan and Mutual Bank is still alive.
Despite what you may have read or heard about the Obama house and lot purchase and not requiring the Rezko’s assistance, the house and lot had to close at the same time and the Rezko’s made it work with the help of Iraqi billionaire Nadhmi Auchi and his wife under highly suspicious circumstances.
Lot’s of spirits and lot’s of opportunities for revelations.
Kiferbaum pleads guilty, April 10, 2013, Rezko Levine Blagojevich Obama ties, Children’s Memorial Hospital shakedown, Pamela Meyer Davis wiretap, IL Health board rigging
“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 My Fox Chicago April 10, 2013.
“Another piece of unfinished business in the decade-long investigation of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration has been dealt with in federal court in Chicago.
Building contractor Jacob Kiferbaum pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted extortion in an amended plea deal. It calls for a prison term of about two years when he is sentenced July 17.
Kiferbaum admitted he and others with links to Blagojevich threatened to deny state permission for a suburban hospital’s expansion unless the hospital hired Kiferbaum for the job.
A 2003 investigation into the scheme spawned other investigations that eventually toppled dozens of Illinois powerbrokers, including Blagojevich himself.”
Read more:
Some background from Citizen Wells September 2, 2012.
“Was Barack Obama the original plan for the presidency by the DNC and Chicago Machine? Rod Blagojevich envisioned himself in that office. But in a high
profile position as Governor of Illinois, with brashness by nature and a less stealthy approach to pay to play politics than Obama, the feds began investigating him in 2003 and reports soon hit the Chicago media of corruption in his administration.
The bulk of the charges in the Criminal complaint, indictment and evidentiary proffer and indeed, what the Tony Rezko trial centered around, took place from 2003 to 2005. They include much activity involving the TRS, Teacher Retirement System, Hospital construction approval, a plan to shakedown Children’s Memorial Hospital, appointments to state government such as Ali Ata to the Illinois Finance Authority and real estate transactions involving Blagojevich’s wife Patti.”
“Hospitals:
“The brief conversation was between Levine and Rezko on April 24, 2004, just three days after Levine said he and Rezko had rigged a vote of a state hospital
planning board to approve a controversial hospital in Crystal Lake. Hospital contractor Jacob Kiferbaum was going to pay Levine and Rezko $1 million in
bribes if the Crystal Lake facility won approval, Levine has testified.
Levine testified that he called Rezko on April 24 to set up a meeting to discuss their next shakedown target: Children’s Memorial Hospital. Just minutes
before Levine called Rezko, Levine had hung up with a money manager from the investment banking firm Bear Stearns named Nicholas Hurtgen, who prosecutors say was a confederate in past Levine kickback schemes.” Rezko trial, March 21, 2008
So, why would the prosecution of Blagojevich be delayed despite the fact that he profoundly affected the citizens and state of IL?”
“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″
Blagojevich appeal update, One year prison anniversary, Appeal opening brief April 25, 2013, Attorneys Goodman and Kaeseberg, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells
“Why did Colin Powell allow Patrick Fitzgerald to be pulled away from the Blagojevich prosecution?”…Citizen Wells
“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?”…Citizen Wells
Today, March 15, 2013 is the one year anniversary of Rod Blagojevich’s 14 year prison sentence.
From Politico March 15, 2013.
“A year in prison, Rod Blagojevich in good spirits”
“It’s been a year since Rod Blagojevich entered a federal prison in Colorado to start serving his 14-year sentence for corruption — and his attorney says while the former Illinois governor misses his family, he remains in “good spirits” and is “hopeful” the conviction will be overturned.
Blagojevich’s appellate lawyer Len Goodman — who, along with attorney Lauren Kaeseberg, is working on the appeal — told POLITICO that Blagojevich’s family visits him “as often as they can make the trip” to Englewood, a low-security facility in Littleton, Colo.”
“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.”
Still wondering what Obama and Blagojevich were discussing shortly before Blagojevich was arrested in 2008.
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?”
Patrick Fitzgerald University of Chicago Law School, National security law program course, Obama Senior Lecturer, Corruption comes full circle
“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells
“Why did Colin Powell allow Patrick Fitzgerald to be pulled away from the Blagojevich prosecution?”…Citizen Wells
“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?”…Citizen Wells
Get involved in Chicago and Illinois corruption and apparently you are a shoe in for a job at the University of Chicago Law School.
From The National Law Journal March 6, 2013.
“University of Chicago lands Fitzgerald for teaching job”
“Patrick Fitzgerald, the high-profile former U.S. attorney, is heading
to the University of Chicago Law School.
He has been named the inaugural Feirson Distinguished Lecturer at the
school and will teach one course per year, beginning with a national
security law program this spring.
“Pat Fitzgerald is one of the most respected and skilled attorneys of
his generation,” dean Michael Schill said. “No one has done more to
bring honor to the legal profession—especially in Chicago—than Pat.
His unimpeachable ethics, his extraordinary brilliance and his
astounding work ethic make him one of the finest public servants this
country has ever known.”
Fitzgerald joined Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom as a partner in
October following a decade as the U.S. attorney for the Northern
District of Illinois. In that post, he oversaw the successful
corruption prosecutions of former Illinois governors Rod Blagojevich
and George Ryan. As a special prosecutor in the Valerie Plame leak
case, he secured the conviction of Lewis “Scooter” Libby, an aide to
former Vice President Dick Cheney, on counts including obstruction of
justice and perjury.”
Patrick Fitzgerald is either clueless, biased and/or corrupt.
Fitzgerald aggressively prosecuted Republican Governor of Illinois George Ryan and then aggressively attacked Scooter Libby and Karl Rove, unjustly, and with the knowledge by Colin Powell and others that they were innocent of the leak in the Valerie Plame case.
All the while Fitzgerald delayed the prosecution of Rod Blagojevich until after the 2008 election.
Barack Obama was a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School.
The new Citizen Wells question that begs an answer is:
“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?”
Blagojevich appeal update, March 7, 2013, 10000 pages of delayed trial transcripts, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, Later in 2013, Fitzgerald US Justice Dept. delayed prosecution
“Why wasn’t Rod Blagojevich, Governor of IL, prosecuted before Tony Rezko, a businessman?”…Citizen Wells
“Why did Colin Powell allow Patrick Fitzgerald to be pulled away from the Blagojevich prosecution?”…Citizen Wells
“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?”…Citizen Wells
Still wondering about the continued delay in the prosecution of Rod Blagojevich, specifically the lengthy delay in his appeal?
Here is one of the reasons.
From Chicago Business March 6, 2013.
“Blagojevich attorney hopes three’s a charm”
“Will three be a charm for Chicago attorney Len Goodman?
He’s on a winning streak that he’s hoping will carry over to his next case — defending former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.”
“The next big case on the criminal defense attorney’s plate is the appeal of Mr. Blagojevich, who is in prison in Colorado following his conviction on corruption charges.
“Right now, I’m just trying to get through 10,000 pages of trial transcripts,” says Mr. Goodman, who is the nephew of Chicago financier Lester Crown.
The case likely will go before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals later this year.”
Of course there are other reasons why the appeal of Blagojevich has dragged on so long.
From Citizen Wells January 30, 2013.
“Here is the rest of the story.
Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department aggressively prosecuted George Ryan.
Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department, despite the fact that they began wiretaps in late 2003 and had in depth knowledge of corruption in the Rod Blagojevich Administration by 2005 at the latest, delayed the arrest of Blagojevich until after the 2008 election. The production of transcripts required for the Blagojevich appeal were delayed for over half a year by the US Justice Department in 2012, once again delaying the appeal until after the 2012 election.
From Citizen Wells May 27, 2012.
“Fitzgerald aggressively prosecuted Republican ex Governot of Illinois, George Ryan and unjustly went after Scooter Libby and Karl Rove. Fitzgerald waited until after the 2008 elections to arrest Governor Rod Blagojevich despite the fact that he had details of corruption in the Blagojevich Administration at least by late 2003.
Is Patrick Fitzgerald a pawn, an idiot or corrupt?
From an FBI wiretap:
“You know, Axelrod and Obama’s people, you know, clearly turned, you know, got the Chicago media to make Rezko all about me.”
Late 2003.
Earliest documented awareness by FBI and Patrick Fitzgerald of corruption in Blagojevich admin. Pamela Meyer Davis agreed to secretly record conversations involving state health planning board with an FBI wire.
December 31, 2003 NY Times.
“Mr. Fitzgerald announced that he was prosecuting former Gov. George Ryan, a Republican, in a scandal that had been swirling around long before Mr. Fitzgerald got here and that many people thought would never touch the most powerful politicians in Illinois. But there Mr. Fitzgerald was, a week before Christmas, ticking off the details of a 91-page indictment against Mr. Ryan, seemingly from memory.
That, even Mr. Fitzgerald’s former opponents in the courtroom say, is classic Fitzgerald: dogged, dispassionate and endlessly prepared.”
April 8 – May 21, 2004 (Rezko Trial March 12, 2008; 11:11 a.m.)
“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.”
May 9, 2005.
Stuart Levine indicted on corruption charges. Federal subpoena issued to Tony Rezko. June 15, 2005.
Obama purchased home next door to Rezko for $1.65 million, $300,000 less than the asking price. June 15, 2005.
Rita Rezko, Tony’s wife purchased plot next door for $625,000 asking price.
October 25, 2005.
The Chicago Tribune reports about a federal grand jury investigation into the alleged political hiring practices of the Blagojevich administration.
January 2006.
Rita Rezko sells the Obamas one-sixth of her lot for $104,500.
August 5, 2006.
The Chicago Tribune reports that Stuart Levine is cooperating with the federal investigation of state government.”
“December 7, 2008.
Criminal complaint of Blagojevich. Nine individuals is important. Obama helped passed a bill to reduce the number from 15 to 9.
“b. Corruption of the Planning Board”
“At the relevant time period, the Planning Board consisted of nine individuals.”
“Planning Board” (IL Health Facilities Planning Board) is mentioned 31 times.
“Rezko” is mentioned 170 times.
“Hospital” in context of Mercy Hospital mentioned 8 times. December 9, 2008.
Blagojevich arrested
“Fitzgerald said, “We make no allegations” that Obama was aware of any alleged scheming by Blagojevich.”
February 24, 2011.
Counts 1,2,4 in the Blagojevich Indictment are dropped. This represents approx. half of the indictment and includes numerous corruption ties to Blagojevich and Obama.”
“December 7, 2011.
Rod Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years.
Colin Powell, who has continued to endorse Barack Obama, knew that Scooter Libby and Karl Rove were innocent in the Valerie Plame leak. Yet Powell did not share his knowledge with the Bush Administration and thus allowed Patrick Fitzgerald to continue to investigate and prosecute Libby and Rove.
Why did Colin Powell allow Patrick Fitzgerald to be pulled away from the Blagojevich prosecution?
“FOX Chicago News has learned that Rod Blagojevich’s appeal is still having trouble getting off the ground, because of delays in producing transcripts from his two trials.
For the second time in the last four months, Lauren Kaeseberg, one of the attorney’s handling Rod Blagojevich’s appeal, has been threatened with disciplinary action because she still hasn’t provided a complete copy of the Blagojevichtrial transcripts to the appellate court.
The appellate court won’t set a briefing schedule to get the appeal moving until the transcripts are available.
As FOX Chicago reported exclusively in August, the court reporter responsible for producing the 16,000 pages of transcripts took a leave of absence for five and a half months after Blagojevich was convicted. So, the appellate court agreed to wait until September 28th for the transcripts.
But, now in October, they’re still not completed. On Monday, the court issued an order, warning Kaeseberg again that she could face monetary or disciplinary sanctions. She responded Tuesday with an explanation, saying transcripts are still missing because they were under seal, or were handled by a different court reporter and she hopes to have them soon.”
” The court reporter, trial judge James Zagel and the appeals court all have a responsibility to produce transcripts needed for an appeal in a timely manner.”
Citizen Wells for years has been questioning the delayed prosecution of Rod Blagojevich with the obvious intent of protecting Obama.
Today we present a new question that will be explored further soon.
“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?”
Citizen WElls 