Category Archives: Chicago machine

Rahm Emanuel not legal resident of Chicago, Obama not natural born citizen, Emanuel not eligible, Obama not eligible

Posted on October 4, 2010 | 93 comments

Rahm Emanuel not legal resident of Chicago, Obama not natural born citizen, Emanuel not eligible, Obama not eligible

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

From the Chicago SunTimes October 4, 2010.

“Experts say Rahm Emanuel not a legal resident of city”

“Sunday, Rahm Emanuel announced in a video posted on a website that he is preparing to run for mayor of Chicago. But two of Chicago’s top election lawyers say the state’s municipal code is crystal clear that a candidate for mayor must reside in the town for a year before the election.
 
Rahm Emanuel owns the home at right, but he rented it out when he became White House chief of staff last year — and the tenant refuses to break the lease.
That doesn’t mean they must simply own a home in the city that they rent out to someone else. They must have a place they can walk into, keep a toothbrush, hang up their jacket and occasionally sleep, the lawyers say.

Another three election lawyers say Emanuel could be thrown off the ballot on a residency challenge. None says Emanuel will have it easy.

Today, Emanuel launches his “listening tour” of Chicago neighborhoods — taking his message and open ears, he says, to Chicago’s “grocery stores, L stops, bowling alleys and hot dog stands.”

Though he was widely expected to run, Sunday’s video was his first statement of his intentions since Mayor Daley announced he would not seek another term. Friday, Emanuel left Washington and his job as White House chief of staff.

Ironically, President Obama would have no problem coming back to Chicago to run for mayor because he never rented out his home and has come back to stay there on rare occasions.

“He has a physical location that he owns and has exclusive right to live in,” said attorney Jim Nally.

But Emanuel’s problem as he prepares to run for mayor is that he rented out his house, and the tenant refuses to back out of the lease.

“The guy does not meet the statutory requirements to run for mayor,” said attorney Burt Odelson. “He hasn’t been back there in 18 months. Residency cases are usually very hard to prove because the candidate gets an apartment or says he’s living in his mother’s basement. Here the facts are easy to prove. He doesn’t dispute he’s been in Washington for the past 18 months. This is not a hard case.”

Read more:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/2769580,CST-NWS-vote04.article

This should be no problem for Emanuel. Obama is not a natural born citizen and he’s in the White House.

93 Comments

Posted in Barack Obama, Chicago, Chicago machine, Chicago SunTimes, Citizen, Citizen News, Citizens for the truth about Obama, CitizenWells, Government, Illinois, Natural born citizen, News, Obama, Obama lies, Obama Nation, Obama records, Rahm Emanuel, The Case Against Barack Obama, Washington DC, white house

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Obama returns to crime scene in Chicago, Giannoulias campaign, October 7, 2010, Audacity of corruption

Posted on September 27, 2010 | 14 comments

Obama returns to crime scene in Chicago, Giannoulias campaign, October 7, 2010, Audacity of corruption

“Giannoulias is so tainted by reputed mob links that several top Illinois Dems, including the state’s speaker of the House and party chairman, refused to endorse him even after he won the Democratic nomination with Obama’s help.”…Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times

From the Chicago Tribune September 26, 2010.

“Barack Obama will visit Chicago on Oct. 7 to campaign for Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, a White House official said Sunday.

Giannoulias, the state treasurer, is running against U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., for the Senate seat Obama once held.

Obama plans to attend a fundraiser for Giannoulias and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the official said.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-obama-giannoulias-0927-20100926,0,5077238.story

You remember Giannoulias.

From Citizen Wells August 27, 2008.

“Like the ill-advised connection to Obama in Aurora, thanks to Dan Shomon, Obama is mentioned in the same discusion with all these problems with Giannoulias.”
“Shomon’s main activities are political campaigns and helping Obama and his friends like Alexi Giannoulias who is now the Treasurer for the State of Illinois.”
“We think it’s HIGHLY unethical of Dan Shomon or Tom Weisner to exploit the taxpayers of Aurora for political purpose. Barack Obama’s credibility is also risked in the process of Shomon and Weisner’s games at the expense of taxpayers.
“Aurora Mayor Thomas J. Weisner gave Shomon the lobbying gig in exchange for political work, including getting the endorsement of Barack Obama back in 2005 when Obama first said he would remain “neutral” in the heated mayoral race.”
“In the 2006 Democratic primary, for example, Obama endorsed first-time candidate Alexi Giannoulias for state treasurer despite reports about loans Giannoulias’ family-owned Broadway Bank made to crime figures. Records show Giannoulias and his family had given more than $10,000 to Obama’s campaign, which banked at Broadway.”

“Alexi Giannoulias, who became Illinois state treasurer last year after Obama vouched for him, has pledged to raise $100,000 for the senator’s Oval Office bid.

Before he promised to raise funds for Obama, Giannoulias bankrolled Michael “Jaws” Giorango, a Chicagoan twice convicted of bookmaking and promoting prostitution. “

Read more:

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2008/08/27/obama-corruption-alexi-giannoulias-speaks-at-convention-chicago-corruption-obama-mentor-to-giannoulias-giannoulias-mob-ties-dan-shomon-audacity-of-corruption/

14 Comments

Posted in Alexi Giannoulias, Barack Obama, Chicago, Chicago machine, Citizen, Citizen News, Citizens for the truth about Obama, CitizenWells, corruption, Dan Shomon, Illinois, News, Obama, Obama lies, Obama Nation, Obama records, Obama thugs, Pay to play politics, The Case Against Barack Obama, United States

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Obama just as guilty as Blagojevich, Justice Dept protecting Obama, Obama Rezko ties, Citizen Wells open thread, September 21, 2010

Posted on September 21, 2010 | 45 comments

Obama just as guilty as Blagojevich, Justice Dept protecting Obama, Obama Rezko ties

The Citizen Wells blog and CitizenWells.com are committed to presenting the truth about Rod Blagojevich and Chicago corruption involving Barack Obama, et al. Twice, before the 2008 elections and now, before the 2010 elections, legal actions against Blagojevich have been delayed. It is apparent that the US Justice Department is protecting Obama. We will not let Obama escape being tainted by his strong ties to Chicago corruption.

From Citizen Wells April 3, 2010

Obama lied about his involvement with Tony Rezko

 
“February 10, 2008 Sun-Times.

During his March 14, 2008 interview, the Times told Obama, Thomas is an FBI mole and he “recently told us that he saw you coming and going from Rezko’s office a lot.”

“And three other sources told us that you and Rezko spoke on the phone daily.”

“Rod Blagojevich Indictment press release, APRIL 2, 2009.

“The Solicitation of Ali Ata
In late 2002, Ali Ata, a businessman who previously pleaded guilty and is cooperating, and who was solicited by Rezko to make political contributions to Blagojevich, brought a $25,000 check to Rezko’s offices, where Ata met with Blagojevich. Blagojevich asked Rezko if Rezko had talked to Ata about positions in the administration, and Rezko said that he had. In July 2003, after discussions with Rezko about possible state appointments, Ata gave Rezko another $25,000 check payable to Blagojevich’s campaign. Ata then had a conversation with Blagojevich at a fundraising event in which Blagojevich indicated that he was aware Ata recently had made another substantial contribution to his campaign, and told Ata that he understood Ata would be joining his administration.

Ata replied that he was considering taking a position, and Blagojevich said that it had better be a job where Ata could make some money. Blagojevich ultimately appointed Ata as the executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority.””

““Ata made a $5,000 donation to Obama less than a month earlier on June 30, 2003. Ata is also an investor in Riverside Park. Almost without fail, the people identified in the Board Games cases as investors in Riverside Park contributed to Obama’s US senate campaign.””

Read more:

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/rod-blagojevich-trial-blagojevich-indictment-rezko-levine-obama-il-board-rigging-chicago-illinois-corruption-il-senate-health-services-committee-obama-lied-about-contact-with-rezko/

Blagojevich throws Obama under bus, Blagojevich wiretap November 7, 2008

45 Comments

Posted in Ali Ata, Barack Obama, Blagojevich, Blagojevich trial, Chicago, Chicago machine, Citizen, Citizen News, Citizens for the truth about Obama, CitizenWells, corruption, Election 2008, Election 2010, FBI, Federal Court, Illinois, Obama, Obama indictment, Obama lies, Obama Nation, Obama records, Obama thugs, Patrick Fitzgerald, Pay to play politics, Rezko, Stuart Levine, The Case Against Barack Obama, Tony Rezko, United States, US Department of Justice, Washington DC, white house

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Blagojevich prosecution continues to protect Obama, Retrial after 2010 elections, Citizen Wells open thread, September 13, 2010

Posted on September 13, 2010 | 61 comments

Blagojevich prosecution continues to protect Obama, Retrial after 2010 elections

The delay in prosecuting Rod Blagojevich for his involvement in Chicago and Illinois corruption going back to at least 2003 has largely been ignored or hidden by the mainstream media. Hats off to the Chicago Tribune and Jeff Coen for setting the record straight on the investigation of Blagojevich.

From the Chicago Tribune August 30, 2010.

“The former owner of a Joliet landfill at the center of an infamous spat between then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his alderman father-in-law was hit Monday with federal tax evasion charges.”

“Blagojevich has often sought to blame his legal troubles on the dispute with his father-in-law, Chicago Ald. Richard Mell, 33rd, who helped him become Illinois’ first Democratic governor in a quarter-century. But in reality, it served more as a colorful sidelight to the scandal that would lead to Blagojevich being arrested in 2008 and charged with trying to peddle his powers for personal benefit.

A federal jury this month couldn’t agree on a verdict for nearly two dozen corruption charges against Blagojevich — including trying to sell President Barack Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat — and prosecutors announced they would retry Blagojevich as soon as early 2011. Blagojevich says he is innocent and was targeted by overzealous prosecutors and political enemies.”

The squabbling over the landfill often is mistakenly referenced as touching off the federal investigation that became Operation Board Games and eventually led to a sweeping indictment against Blagojevich and players in his administration.

“Evidence that surfaced during the trials of Blagojevich and fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko showed the investigation was well under way months earlier. Blagojevich appointee Stuart Levine was recorded by federal investigators speaking with Rezko about fixing state board votes early in 2004, and Levine himself was confronted by the FBI in May 2004.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-tax-evasion-landfill-20100830,0,1851184.story

From Citizen Wells August 23, 2010.

“If you read the press coverage of this verdict, it is clear that public reaction to the verdict is nearly universal: “One count? That’s it!? Is this a joke?”

No, it’s no joke. And, truthfully, this is the result I expected after the government wrapped up its case. It looked like the prosecution’s case was distorted in order to protect President Obama, Rahm Emanuel and Valerie Jarrett. It’s that simple.”
“It looked to me that the trial was turning into a political nightmare for the Obama White House. And this may explain why the prosecution shut their case down a month early.”
“Let’s hope prosecutors get it right this time. I suspect that Eric Holder’s politicized Justice Department interfered with the investigation conducted by the reputedly independent U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.”

From Citizen Wells July 15, 2010

“Patrick Fitzgerald was aware of Blagojevich’s corruption in 2003

“Pamela Meyer Davis had been trying to win approval from a state health planning board for an expansion of Edward Hospital, the facility she runs in a Chicago suburb, but she realized that the only way to prevail was to retain a politically connected construction company and a specific investment house.

Instead of succumbing to those demands, she went to the FBI and U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald in late 2003 and agreed to secretly record conversations about the project.””

Read more:

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/patrick-fitzgerald-justice-department-corruption-obama-protected-before-and-after-2008-election/

The arrest of Rod Blagojevich was obviously engineered to occur after the 2008 elections. The first and second trials were obviously engineered to keep the truth about Blagojevich and Obama hidden until at least after the 2010 elections. The US Justice Dept. must be given an enema.

61 Comments

Posted in Attorney General, Attorneys, Barack Obama, Blagojevich, Blagojevich Impeachment, Blagojevich trial, Chicago, Chicago machine, Citizen, Citizen News, Citizens for the truth about Obama, CitizenWells, corruption, Election 2008, Election 2010, Eric Holder, FBI, Government, Judges, Justice, News, Obama, Obama administration, Obama indictment, Obama lies, Obama Nation, Obama records, Obama thugs, Patrick Fitzgerald, Pay to play politics, Prosecution, The Case Against Barack Obama, United States, US Department of Justice, Washington DC, white house

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JoAnn Chiakulas Blagojevich juror speaks out, Prosecution case weak, Emphasis on selling Obama senate seat

Posted on August 27, 2010 | 62 comments

JoAnn Chiakulas Blagojevich juror speaks out, Prosecution case weak

Although I do not totally agree with Blagojevich juror JoAnn Chiakulas, she does make a point about the case that the prosecution didn’t make against ex governor Rod Blagojevich. JoAnn Chiakulas has finally spoken out about her decisions. From the Chicago Tribune August 27, 2010.

“Battling stomach pains and fatigue, JoAnn Chiakulas would take the train into the city each morning knowing that her resolve was disappointing some people and infuriating others.

But the 67-year-old grandmother said she also knew that as a juror in Rod Blagojevich’s corruption trial, she had a responsibility to follow her conscience and the law. She said she did not believe he or his brother committed a crime with their actions to fill Barack Obama’s Senate seat, so she would not find them guilty despite what other jurors, prosecutors and, perhaps, the general public wanted.

If it was going to be 11-1, so be it.
“I could never live with myself if I went along with the rest of the jury,” Chiakulas told the Tribune in her first media interview since the trial ended. “I didn’t believe it was the correct vote for me.”

The jury deliberated on the sweeping corruption charges for 14 days and, in the end, convicted Rod Blagojevich of one count of lying to the FBI. The panel was split on the 23 other counts, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial and the government to promise a retrial.”

“Chiakulas and two other jurors broke their silence in an interview Wednesday night and offered their account of the deliberations and the trial’s aftermath. Also attending was longtime Chicago Tribune contributor Ruth Fuller, a family friend who helped arrange the meeting.

Chiakulas said she found Blagojevich’s recorded statements on the Senate vacancy to be so scattered and disorganized that his actions did not reach the level of a criminal conspiracy.

One day he chattered about being the Indian ambassador, for example, then in the next conversation he discussed another plan. In the space of a few weeks, he talked about appointing, among others, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Oprah Winfrey or himself.

She said she never saw him formulate a clear plan to sell the seat. But in voting him not guilty, she stressed she did not find him innocent.

“I thought he was narcissistic,” she said. “I thought he was all over the place. I thought he was just rambling.”

It also concerned Chiakulas that some key witnesses who testified against Blagojevich had cut deals with prosecutors before testifying, she said.

“Some people in (the jury room) only saw black and white,” Chiakulas said. “I think I saw, in the transcripts and in the testimony, shades of gray. To me, that means reasonable doubt.””

“Still, the holdout label upsets Chiakulas and some other jurors because, they say, it wrongly suggests she was a Blagojevich apologist. To the contrary, she readily acknowledged the governor’s faults during deliberations and made it clear that she didn’t condone his behavior or leadership, Moore said.

“She admitted he talks too much, he sounds like an idiot sometimes,” Moore said. “She said, ‘But we’re not here to determine whether he talks like an idiot sometimes. That’s not what he’s on trial for.'””

“While Chiakulas shunned the media spotlight in the days after the verdict, the loquacious Blagojevich appeared on national television to thank her for her resolve and proclaim that she has reaffirmed his faith in God.

When asked about his comments, Chiakulas frowned and slightly shook her head.

“I didn’t do it for him,” she said.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-blagojevich-jury-20100827,0,7458628,full.story

62 Comments

Posted in Attorneys, Blagojevich, Blagojevich trial, Chicago, Chicago machine, Chicago Tribune, corruption, Criminal Complaint, Federal Court, Illinois, Judges, Jury, Lawyers, News, Pay to play politics, Prosecution, Senator Obama, US Department of Justice

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Blagojevich trial early January 2011, Update, Attorneys Adam Sr and Jr may represent Blagojevich pro bono

Posted on August 26, 2010 | 37 comments

Blagojevich trial early January 2011, Update, Attorneys Adam Sr and Jr may represent Blagojevich pro bono

From the Chicago Tribune August 26, 2010.

“The judge who presided over Rod Blagojech’s corruption trial says he’ll likely set the retrial for early January and reiterated that he probably won’t allow the former governor to have more than two taxpayer-funded lawyers.

Judge James Zagel said today he would be open to allowing more attorneys if they volunteered their time, or allowing attorneys paid for by a benefactor.

Zagel said the trial date will likely be the first week of the new year, but not on Jan. 3, just after the New Year’s holiday.

The judge said the date revolves around the complications of getting a jury selected. That process lasts six to eight weeks, and begins with a questionnaire on whether prospective panelists can serve on a lengthy trial.

If that process started immediately, opening statements would be given in October and  jury deliberations could run into the holidays, Zagel said.

“We have a certainty that we’re dealing with deliberations in the last half of December, and that’s a bad time to do it – a distracted jury,” Zagel said.

A delay until January also will allow some of the publicity surrounding the case to die down, he said, and will lead to a jury pool that includes people who have a general memory of the case but not a specific one.”

“After the hearing, Blagojevich lawyer Sam Adam Sr. disputed reports that he and his animated lawyer son, Sam Adam Jr., had decided not to represent the former governor at a retrial.

Adam Sr. said he, his son and the other lawyers representing Blagojevich would discuss the makeup of the legal team for a second trial with their client, but allow him to make the final call on who stays and who goes.

Adam Sr. said everything would be on the table, including the possibility of seeking a plea deal, though he acknowledged that wasn’t likely since Blagojevich has said in recent media interviews that he would not do so.

“I have never discussed a possible plea with the government,” he said, stressing that prosecutors have never broached the idea of a deal either. “But I’ll discuss anything.”

“It’s up to him,” Adam Sr. said of Blagojevich. “He’s the client. Whatever he thinks is best we’ll do.”

And Adam Sr. said he would even consider remaining on the legal team and working for free if Blagojevich asked him to. “I’m prepared to do anything the client wants, including working for free. He’s our friend and he’s our client. ”

Read more:

37 Comments

Posted in Announcements, Attorneys, Blagojevich trial, Chicago, Chicago machine, corruption, Defense, Illinois, Judges, Law firms, Lawyers, News, Obama thugs, Pay to play politics, US Department of Justice

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Blagojevich retrial hearing, August 26, 2010, Judge James Zagel, Citizen Wells open thread

Posted on August 26, 2010 | 89 comments

Blagojevich retrial hearing, August 26, 2010, Judge James Zagel

The retrial hearing for Rod Blagojevich takes place today, Thursday, August 26, 2010.

From the Chicago Tribune.

“The retrial of Rod Blagojevich could look decidedly different from the first go-around if the bombastic father-and-son team of Sam Adam and Sam Adam Jr. drop off the case, as the former governor’s lead lawyers have hinted since last week.

Both Adams have suggested they want out of a repeat performance, with the younger one telling attorneys in the case that it’s time for him and his father to move on, according to sources.

Sheldon Sorosky, another Blagojevich lawyer who could remain on a reduced two-member defense team, said Wednesday he believes the younger Adam, whom he described as a “legal Michelangelo,” may struggle to find the energy to tackle the mammoth task again.

Adam’s closing argument was marked by loud and passionate pleas, a flurry of government objections and even an apology for sweating on a juror.

Some answers could become apparent Thursday as U.S. District Judge James Zagel holds the first public status hearing since the trial ended last week, with the jury convicting Blagojevich of lying to the FBI about his knowledge of political fundraising but deadlocking on all the other 23 counts.”

“”The primary purpose (for the hearing) is to set a new trial date,” Sorosky said. “Then, as in any retrial situation, the second purpose — which this time may eclipse the first — is the lawyer situation.”

In a private conference last week with attorneys in the case, Zagel said he expects the former governor to be allowed just two lawyers for the retrial.

Blagojevich, who had seven attorneys for the first trial, has tapped out his $2.7 million campaign fund, which under Zagel’s supervision was used to pay his legal fees. Rules under the Criminal Justice Act allow a defendant whose defense is paid for with taxpayer funds to have no more than two lawyers.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/08/blagojevich-hearing-could-answer-question-over-lawyers.html

89 Comments

Posted in Announcements, Attorneys, Blagojevich, Blagojevich trial, Chicago, Chicago machine, corruption, Courts, Criminal Complaint, District Court, Federal Court, Illinois, Judges, Justice, Law firms, Lawyers, News, Pay to play politics, Prosecution, US Department of Justice, US District Court

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Blagojevich trial January 2011?, Judge James Zagel, Public defenders, Citizen Wells open thread, August 24, 2010

Posted on August 24, 2010 | 147 comments

Blagojevich trial January 2011?, Judge James Zagel, Public defenders

From the Chicago Tribune August 23, 2010.

“At a private meeting last week with lawyers in the case, U.S. District Judge James Zagel said he was eyeing January for a second trial and suggested he would appoint two attorneys for Blagojevich at taxpayer expense, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Blagojevich’s legal team of seven lawyers was paid from his campaign funds for the first trial, but taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the retrial because the $2.7 million in campaign money ran out.

No date for a retrial has been picked, and the matter remains fluid, those with knowledge of the meeting said. The attorneys are scheduled to meet for a public status hearing in front of Zagel on Thursday.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/blagojevich/ct-met-blagojevich-retrial-0824-20100823,0,7833059.story

147 Comments

Posted in Attorneys, Blagojevich, Blagojevich trial, Chicago, Chicago machine, corruption, Courts, Criminal Complaint, Federal Court, Government, Illinois, Judges, Law firms, Lawyers, Obama thugs, Patrick Fitzgerald, Pay to play politics, US Department of Justice, US District Court

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Patrick Fitzgerald, Justice Department corruption, Obama protected before and after 2008 election

Posted on August 23, 2010 | 33 comments

Patrick Fitzgerald, Justice Department corruption, Obama protected before and after 2008 election

Judicial Watch assessment of the Rod Blagojevich trial.

“If you read the press coverage of this verdict, it is clear that public reaction to the verdict is nearly universal: “One count? That’s it!? Is this a joke?”

No, it’s no joke. And, truthfully, this is the result I expected after the government wrapped up its case. It looked like the prosecution’s case was distorted in order to protect President Obama, Rahm Emanuel and Valerie Jarrett. It’s that simple.”
“It looked to me that the trial was turning into a political nightmare for the Obama White House. And this may explain why the prosecution shut their case down a month early.”
“Let’s hope prosecutors get it right this time. I suspect that Eric Holder’s politicized Justice Department interfered with the investigation conducted by the reputedly independent U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.”

Read more:

http://www.judicialwatch.org/weeklyupdate/2010/33-obama-steps-ground-zero-mosque-mess#anchor2

Judicial Watch makes some good points. They are certainly correct about Holder and Fitzgerald. However, as reported here for many months, Blagojevich should have been arrested many months earlier and this trial is about Chicago corruption involving Blagojevich, Rezko and Obama going back to at least 2002.

From Citizen Wells July 15, 2010

“Patrick Fitzgerald was aware of Blagojevich’s corruption in 2003

“Pamela Meyer Davis had been trying to win approval from a state health planning board for an expansion of Edward Hospital, the facility she runs in a Chicago suburb, but she realized that the only way to prevail was to retain a politically connected construction company and a specific investment house.

Instead of succumbing to those demands, she went to the FBI and U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald in late 2003 and agreed to secretly record conversations about the project.””

Read more

Before the 2008 election, before the alleged selling of the senate seat, CBS 2 Chicago reported the following on September 24, 2008.

“A source tells CBS 2 News Wednesday night that a team of federal agents believes it has the evidence needed to indict Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Investigators believe they’ve established solid evidence of fraud and conspiracy.

However, they are not the ones who make the decision to prosecute. It’s up to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and the Justice Department in Washington.”

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/governor.blagojevich.indict.2.825033.html

Have any of the big media players pointed this out? Blagojevich was convicted on one count of lying to the FBI in 2005. At the absolute latest they had this nailed down by the Tony Rezko trial in early 2008.

From the Blagojevich indictment.

“On or about March 16, 2005, in Chicago, in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division,

ROD BLAGOJEVICH,

defendant herein, did knowingly and willfully make materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statements and representations in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, an agency within the executive branch of the Government of the United States, when ROD BLAGOJEVICH,

interviewed by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the presence of his counsel, stated in sum and substance that:
Since the time that he became governor,
(i)
ROD BLAGOJEVICH maintains a separation or firewall between politics and state business; and
(ii)
ROD BLAGOJEVICH does not track, or want to know, who contributes to him or how much they are contributing to him;

Whereas, in truth and in fact, as ROD BLAGOJEVICH then well knew, these statements were false;
In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001(a)(2).”
Once again I present this video which is damning for Patrick Fitzgerald.

33 Comments

Posted in Barack Obama, Blagojevich, Blagojevich trial, Chicago, Chicago machine, corruption, Federal Court, Illinois, indictment, Obama, Obama administration, Obama indictment, Obama lies, Obama Nation, Obama records, Obama thugs, Patrick Fitzgerald, Pay to play politics, Prosecution, Rezko, Stuart Levine, The Case Against Barack Obama, Tony Rezko, US Department of Justice, Washington DC, white house

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Blagojevich retrial, Rezko Levine et al waiting sentencing, Citizen Wells open thread, August 23, 2010

Posted on August 23, 2010 | 113 comments

Blagojevich retrial, Rezko Levine et al waiting sentencing

From the Chicago tribune, a list of Blagojevich trial potential witnesses waiting on sentencing.

“–Antoin “Tony” Rezko: Former fundraiser for Blagojevich and Barack Obama and key adviser to Blagojevich, convicted in June 2008 of fraud, money laundering and bribery for scheming to make millions of dollars by squeezing campaign contributions or kickbacks from firms seeking business with the Teachers Retirement System and Health Facilities Planning Board. On the witness list for Blagojevich’s trial, but did not testify, and is awaiting sentencing. Still faces charges of fraudulently obtaining a $10.5 million business loan.

–Stuart Levine: Millionaire attorney and longtime Republican donor. Pleaded guilty in October 2006 to fraud and money laundering in the Rezko schemes and was the government’s top witness against Rezko. Member of both the TRS and health planning boards, reappointed by Blagojevich to both. Testified that Blagojevich told him, “Stick with us and you will do very well for yourself.” Awaiting sentencing. Faced life in prison but could get 5 1/2 years for cooperating.

–William Cellini: Longtime Republican fundraiser in Springfield who did business with TRS. Was indicted with Blagojevich on charges of fraud and extortion conspiracy and attempted extortion in connection with a plan to block a Hollywood producer’s real estate investment company from getting $220 million in teachers pension money to invest unless the producer contributed to Blagojevich. Pleaded not guilty in November 2008, got his case separated from Blagojevich’s last fall and has not had a trial date set.

–Alonzo “Lon” Monk: Blagojevich’s law school roommate, gave up a career as a sports agent to join Blagojevich and was the governor’s first chief of staff and campaign manager. Pleaded guilty in October 2009 to one count of wire fraud for attempting to squeeze a racetrack owner for a $100,000 campaign contribution. Testified at Blagojevich’s trial that the two of them, Kelly and Rezko discussed ways to make money through state government connections. Has yet to be sentenced. He faced 37 to 46 months in prison but could get 24 months because he cooperated.

–John Harris: Blagojevich’s chief of staff from late 2005 until his arrest in December 2008, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Testified that Blagojevich sent word to the Obama administration that he would appoint one of the president-elect’s close friends to Obama’s vacated Senate seat if Blagojevich got a cabinet post in Washington. Has yet to be sentenced, but prosecutors have promised to urge a maximum 35-month term.

–Ali Ata: Rezko associate who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about Rezko’s role in getting him his job as executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority. Testified he was at a meeting in 2003 when Ata gave Rezko a $25,000 contribution for Blagojevich and the governor asked Rezko whether he’d spoken to Ata about a state job. He gave another $25,000 the following summer and Blagojevich told him the job he got should allow him to “make some money.” Awaiting sentencing. Faced 18 months in prison, but cooperation could mean even less than the 12-month minimum.

–Joseph Cari: Former Democratic National Committee finance chairman. Pleaded guilty in September 2005 to attempted extortion after telling a company seeking TRS business it had to send $750,000 to a consultant of his choice. Testified that Rezko and Kelly tried to recruit him to raise money for a Blagojevich presidential run and that the ex-governor told him governors are in a better position than senators to seek the presidency because they can hand out legal work and other contracts to contributors.”

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-blagojevichscorec,0,4123288.story

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Posted in Ali Ata, Blagojevich, Blagojevich trial, Chicago, Chicago machine, Chicago Tribune, Illinois, Joseph Cari, Lawyers, News, Obama thugs, Patrick Fitzgerald, Rezko, Stuart Levine, Tony Rezko, William Cellini

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