From Chicago Breaking News, February 4, 2010.
“Blagojevich re-indicted, but accusations the same”
“Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was re-indicted in his corruption case today as prosecutors seek to keep an upcoming decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on “honest services” fraud from delaying Blagojevich’s June trial.
The new 24-count indictment was handed up by a federal grand jury, the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago announced.”
“Blagojevich was indicted last April on 16 counts, including racketeering conspiracy.
The revised indictment does not allege any new wrongdoing by Blagojevich but includes eight new counts that do not rely on honest services fraud.
The new charges include racketeering, attempted extortion, bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit extortion.
The underlying wrongdoing still includes Blagojevich’s alleged attempt to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama and other alleged efforts to leverage the powers of his office.”
Read more:
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/02/blagojevich-re-indicted-on-corruption-charges.html
Blagojevich indictment:
http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2010/pr0204_02a.pdf
Those paying attention and reading this blog for the past two years recognize that the Blagojevich indictment is not just about selling Obama’s seat. It is about rampant Chicago corruption that includes manipulation of the IL Health Planning Facilities Board and Obama’s role in reducing the number of members from 15 to 9. Obama was chairman of the IL senate committee that made the change and gave Blagojevich and Rezko control with only 5 members. Some of the new members contributed to Obama and Blagojevich. If you are unaware of this story, search this blog. It has been extensively reported.
Citizen WElls 