The former law school roommate, longtime friend and onetime chief of staff to Rod Blagojevich is now taking a new role against the former governor: federal witness.
While Lon Monk showed up in federal court Thursday to plead not guilty to a wire fraud charge, a federal prosecutor said a plea deal is due in short order.
Monk was one of Blagojevich’s closest confidants. You can put it on the board. Blagojevich is going away for a very long time.
Sam Adam Jr. and his father, veteran Chicago lawyer Sam Adam Sr., are in line to join attorney Sheldon Sorosky in the governor’s corner. The younger Adam aided Blagojevich during impeachment proceedings in Springfield, and the father and son advised him during his media blitz earlier this year.
“We’re assembling the team right now,” the younger Adam said Thursday. “I am honored to have been asked to represent the governor, and we’re going to fight.”
The younger Adam would bring the somewhat bombastic style he has become known for at Chicago’s Criminal Courts Building to the more mannered halls of the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. He may be best known for his fiery work on the team that won the acquittal of R&B superstar R. Kelly on child pornography charges last year.
The story notes that the two will join the team if Blagojevich’s federal judge allows them to tap Blagojevich’s campaign fund for legal fees. Adam Jr., however, said at least once that he would represent Blagojevich for free.
NBC executives have asked Patti Blagojevich to act in her husband’s stead and become a contestant on the reality show “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!”
But a defense lawyer, who did not want to be named, said the couple will heed their attorneys’ warnings and not allow Patti to do the show. The attorney said the two were told: “They both should follow Judge [James] Zagel’s sage advice regarding Costa Rica.”
Actually, the judge’s advice was to take some time and think about his predicament. He’s obviously not listening…
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich eagerly became a Hollywood high-flyer, but his hair paid the price.
During filming Thursday of a promotional spot for the NBC reality series “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!” Blagojevich was strapped into a harness and hoisted in front of a blank “green screen” to simulate a parachute jump.
Wind machines mussed his famous mop of hair for the spot filmed at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, standing in for the Costa Rican jungle.
I saw that clip last night, and it made me queasy. This guy was our governor? Good lord, heavens above! Blagojevich knows no shame.
Way back when he appeared on Letterman, I critiqued Blagojevich for failing to become a lovable, but crazy uncle figure. A rouge. A Clintonesque clown capable of being a lovable scamp. It seems that his publicity team is either coming around, or has finally talked Blagojevich into attempting this role, now.
But the facts keep coming, and they are exposing Blagojevich not as a lovable, but crazy uncle, but as a despicable weazel. So now that he is finally harnessed above a wind machine, clowning before a green screen and becoming a reality TV star, it is too late for him.
I hope Monk received justice for his part of this governmental crime against us too. He may flip, but he still owes us. He better sing many very pretty tunes before he should get any breaks.
Adam Jr. deserves Blagojevich, and vice versa. They are both over their heads and clueless.
Monk was one of Blagojevich’s closest confidants. You can put it on the board. Blagojevich is going away for a very long time.
Sorry, but it only takes one juror who is enjoying free bus rides to keep him free. I think this is what ex gov nutcase is banking on with his apparent lack of care about his present circumstances
- And I Approved This Message - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:10 am:
This has to stop. The parish priest, the family doctor…someone needs to intervene and get this guy some professional help. The PR creep should be charged with malpractice. Rod is dangerously out of control.
As a condition of any plea deal, perhaps Monk and Harris, or some other close associated of His Hairness, ought to write a book called “Governor Elvis: What Happened?”
And I Approved is dead on. Rod’s problem has ceased to be funny. His brother and anyone else that might be able to convince him, need to intercede. But, I have said that for 6 months.
I realize it is difficult to commit someone in IL., but this guy may hurt himself or his family. It is happening every day.
He’s preparing to act out the phrase “Twisting in the wind” as he will most certainly be doing throughout his trial. And still another idiom…..”Send in the clowns!”
Maybe the legal strategy is now: How could an ADD goofball like that be a scheming, venal criminal?
It’s akin to the tactics of Vincent “The Chin” Gigante, head of the Genovese crime family, who used to walk around Greenwich Village in his bathrobe muttering to himself. The idea was for “The Oddfather” to appear to be mentally incompetent to avoid prosecution.
It worked for a while. What finally got him? Secretly recorded conversations of him discussing crimes that were corroborated by his former top guy.
I’ll say it again, he is fully aware of what he is doing, and lack of dignity cannot be equated with lack of sanity. Maybe he is trying to build an eventual case for a non compos mentis defense. I can’t that flying any further than his thwarted plane trip to Costa Rica.
The younger bombastic Adam said “I am honored to have been asked to represent the governor, and we’re going to fight.” Well now, he’s not honored enough to represent Blago without being allowed to tap Blago’s campaign fund for legal fees!
Apparently being honored means being paid as well. Jeez, this trial is going to be the mother of side shows. My money is on the judge who should have a pretty short fuse when putting up with the younger Adam’s antics in court.
- Dan S, a Voter and Cubs fan - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:44 am:
Last summer I was delteted from a comments section on the State Urnil Register website for suggeting that Milorad was building an insanity defense, I think I had it nailed. What a public nusance.
- Just My Opinion - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:51 am:
Does it look like the tall guy palms the short guy some bills in the short guy’s right hand, then as the short guy puts Blago into the back seat of the car, the short guy gives the bills to Blago? Call me crazy, but I wouldn’t put anything past this guy to pick up some extra cash.
- Speaking at Will - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:51 am:
video of the moron…..OOOOOO…….MMMMMM……GGGGGG!!!!!!
this just gets better and better, and worse and worse. it’s going to make an amazing movie and i don’t even think we’re near done yet writing the script of weirdness.
when the going gets weird, the weird get pro. ahh, Hunter Thompson.
===While Lon Monk showed up in federal court Thursday to plead not guilty to a wire fraud charge, a federal prosecutor said a plea deal is due in short order.====
I wonder how much of the plea bargaining has to do with the conversations with Burris? Of course, I am sure the thought of Roland looking out from under the bus is an easier mental picture for him compared to imagining his old buddy Rod.
(1) it is amusing to see the rats (you know who you are) jumping over and over again from USSBlago. Don’t worry, no matter how many times you jump from the ship, the voters will remember that you were on the ship.
(2) Rich’s logic can be taken one step further, when Blago relaizes that he is dead meat, he will also cooperate with the investigations. And, hahahahaha, a lot of you must be scared by that proposition.
I can’t stop watching this goofy video-it is cracking me up. And now the return of the Adam family. It really is a gonzo journalists dream. A plethora of weirdness calling for the right writer to fully embrace.
As someone who skydived, I can only hope. his actions would have caused him to tumble out of control, not fall. shortly there after, as his parachute opened, it would have become a death shroud as he made the last few thousand foot plunge.
we can only hope.
rich try posting the audio from blood upon the risers.
If Blago really wants to do a reality TV show, why not just do his life from now through the trial. He’d make a fortune. Just put the cameras in the house and let ‘em roll. They’ve already reached the freak family level so why not let it roll?
History has a way of repeating itself, and this is not the first time that the Addams Family has provided criminal representation for a troubled elected official.
Someone should ask former State Rep. Pat Bailey what she thinks of Sam Adams.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 3:40 pm:
Who else could almost hear the Hawk announcing when reading the 2nd line…
“The younger Adam aided Blagojevich during impeachment proceedings in Springfield.” They forgot to add “though not very competently, as he apparently didn’t know the difference between a criminal trial and an impeachment hearing.”
I don’t understand- why is he shooting a promo for a show he can’t star in?
“Sorry, but it only takes one juror who is enjoying free bus rides to keep him free.”
Well, one juror who is enjoying free bus rides AND can’t separate that enjoyment from the facts of the case (And even THAT wouldn’t produce an acquital). Voir dire and judge’s instructions are going to make it pretty tough for such a person to get seated on the jury.
“when Blago relaizes that he is dead meat, he will also cooperate with the investigations.”
There’s not a whole lot the feds want from him besides maybe just giving up. You gotta remember, this is a former governor we’re talking about. There’s no one else for him to roll over on, we’re already at the Capone level.
Secret Square: can’t you just picture Hunter with a bottle of some drink and a great big gun in the woods in Southern Illinois, car filled with all sorts of illegal substances, perhaps the large lawyer with him, writing magic? Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail indeed. and Hunter could write all about the Olympics quest in Illinois too! Matt Taiibi is a loathesome sexist toad, but he is a Hunter wannabe. perhaps Matt can come to Illinois and write something for Rolling Stone.
- If It Walks Like a Duck... - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 6:08 pm:
If you hang someone out to dry, you abandon them when they are in trouble. This stunt proves it, however in the words of Steve Martin in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: “Ha, you did it to yourself!”
- been there before - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:57 pm:
As to representation by the Adams Family now that the money may be available. Not so fast, Jr. talked a little too much and had meetings that will be outside the attorney client privilage. He is a potential witness and I would not be surprised to a see a motion to disqualify as at least Jr. could be potentially called as a witness.
Second, Judge Zagel and 219 S. Dearborn, are not the same as Cook County Courts. Antics not allowed and rigorous knowledge of the law required. Prosecutors and Zagel will eat Jr. alive.
LIVE session coverage...
- Toni H. - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 9:57 am:
The man has no shame. I don’t even know what else to say……
- VanillaMan - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:02 am:
I saw that clip last night, and it made me queasy. This guy was our governor? Good lord, heavens above! Blagojevich knows no shame.
Way back when he appeared on Letterman, I critiqued Blagojevich for failing to become a lovable, but crazy uncle figure. A rouge. A Clintonesque clown capable of being a lovable scamp. It seems that his publicity team is either coming around, or has finally talked Blagojevich into attempting this role, now.
But the facts keep coming, and they are exposing Blagojevich not as a lovable, but crazy uncle, but as a despicable weazel. So now that he is finally harnessed above a wind machine, clowning before a green screen and becoming a reality TV star, it is too late for him.
I hope Monk received justice for his part of this governmental crime against us too. He may flip, but he still owes us. He better sing many very pretty tunes before he should get any breaks.
Adam Jr. deserves Blagojevich, and vice versa. They are both over their heads and clueless.
- iMAGINE - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:05 am:
What an idiot! Enough said.
- Hank - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:08 am:
Monk was one of Blagojevich’s closest confidants. You can put it on the board. Blagojevich is going away for a very long time.
Sorry, but it only takes one juror who is enjoying free bus rides to keep him free. I think this is what ex gov nutcase is banking on with his apparent lack of care about his present circumstances
- And I Approved This Message - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:10 am:
This has to stop. The parish priest, the family doctor…someone needs to intervene and get this guy some professional help. The PR creep should be charged with malpractice. Rod is dangerously out of control.
- Secret Square - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:14 am:
As a condition of any plea deal, perhaps Monk and Harris, or some other close associated of His Hairness, ought to write a book called “Governor Elvis: What Happened?”
- PPHS - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:21 am:
And I Approved is dead on. Rod’s problem has ceased to be funny. His brother and anyone else that might be able to convince him, need to intercede. But, I have said that for 6 months.
I realize it is difficult to commit someone in IL., but this guy may hurt himself or his family. It is happening every day.
- Anon in BB - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:27 am:
He’s going to be on Don Wade & Roma’s show (AGAIN!) on Monday morning. Mental note: listen to WGN Monday morning…
- Justice - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:28 am:
He’s preparing to act out the phrase “Twisting in the wind” as he will most certainly be doing throughout his trial. And still another idiom…..”Send in the clowns!”
- wordslinger - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:30 am:
Maybe the legal strategy is now: How could an ADD goofball like that be a scheming, venal criminal?
It’s akin to the tactics of Vincent “The Chin” Gigante, head of the Genovese crime family, who used to walk around Greenwich Village in his bathrobe muttering to himself. The idea was for “The Oddfather” to appear to be mentally incompetent to avoid prosecution.
It worked for a while. What finally got him? Secretly recorded conversations of him discussing crimes that were corroborated by his former top guy.
Nice try, Rod.
- OneMan - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:31 am:
Thanks Rich, I guess I need to get some software to take advantage of the green screen video now…
- Macbeth - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:32 am:
Wow.
That video is hard to watch.
- Shelbyville - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:35 am:
I am embarrassed for him.
- Fan of the Game - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:42 am:
- Shelbyville - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:35 am:
I am embarrassed for him.
I am embarrassed of him.
- Captain Flume - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:49 am:
I’ll say it again, he is fully aware of what he is doing, and lack of dignity cannot be equated with lack of sanity. Maybe he is trying to build an eventual case for a non compos mentis defense. I can’t that flying any further than his thwarted plane trip to Costa Rica.
- Little Egypt - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:54 am:
The younger bombastic Adam said “I am honored to have been asked to represent the governor, and we’re going to fight.” Well now, he’s not honored enough to represent Blago without being allowed to tap Blago’s campaign fund for legal fees!
Apparently being honored means being paid as well. Jeez, this trial is going to be the mother of side shows. My money is on the judge who should have a pretty short fuse when putting up with the younger Adam’s antics in court.
- Third Generation Chicago Native - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 10:58 am:
He’s going for the insanity plea.
- Anonymous Coward - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:03 am:
TMZ twit:
http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/24/blagojevichs-hair-care-mystery-revealed/
- Bill - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:04 am:
I’m sorry!
- One of the 35 - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:12 am:
That’s not really him, is it??????
- Anonymous Coward - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:15 am:
Twit:
Fmr Gov blagojevich to appear at press event for NBC that begns in 30 minutes in Pasadena, Calif
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:15 am:
Well the Blago Show jumped the shark. We already knew the man would do anything for money-but really…this.
“Video of the moron” lol-too funny!
- Leave a light on George - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:23 am:
Bill that is almost a good as your “oops”
- dupage dan - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:32 am:
Oy, gevalt. This guy really is meshugana.
- Dan S, a Voter and Cubs fan - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:44 am:
Last summer I was delteted from a comments section on the State Urnil Register website for suggeting that Milorad was building an insanity defense, I think I had it nailed. What a public nusance.
- Just My Opinion - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:51 am:
Look at this TMZ clip carefully. http://www.tmz.com/videos?autoplay=true&mediaKey=a6d36a51-7be4-4d04-9c9b-fd1fbd24f06f
Does it look like the tall guy palms the short guy some bills in the short guy’s right hand, then as the short guy puts Blago into the back seat of the car, the short guy gives the bills to Blago? Call me crazy, but I wouldn’t put anything past this guy to pick up some extra cash.
- Speaking at Will - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:51 am:
Bill “I’m sorry!”
I need that on a T-Shirt. ROFL
- Truth - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:51 am:
I don’t think that parachute is going to open. Splat.
- Boscobud - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 12:34 pm:
Use that video with the song “It’s a small world” for the weekend closing
- Amy - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 12:38 pm:
video of the moron…..OOOOOO…….MMMMMM……GGGGGG!!!!!!
this just gets better and better, and worse and worse. it’s going to make an amazing movie and i don’t even think we’re near done yet writing the script of weirdness.
when the going gets weird, the weird get pro. ahh, Hunter Thompson.
- vole - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 12:50 pm:
Does NBC not realize that they are rubbing our noses in it? Do they care? The scum does rise to the top in these executive suites.
- OneMan - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 1:29 pm:
From Rod’s PR crew
“show would be a departure from things that ’sucks and are scary’”
‘Sucks and is Scary’ describes his governance style as well..
- Been There - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 1:37 pm:
===While Lon Monk showed up in federal court Thursday to plead not guilty to a wire fraud charge, a federal prosecutor said a plea deal is due in short order.====
I wonder how much of the plea bargaining has to do with the conversations with Burris? Of course, I am sure the thought of Roland looking out from under the bus is an easier mental picture for him compared to imagining his old buddy Rod.
- pmels - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 2:02 pm:
(1) it is amusing to see the rats (you know who you are) jumping over and over again from USSBlago. Don’t worry, no matter how many times you jump from the ship, the voters will remember that you were on the ship.
(2) Rich’s logic can be taken one step further, when Blago relaizes that he is dead meat, he will also cooperate with the investigations. And, hahahahaha, a lot of you must be scared by that proposition.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 2:03 pm:
=== he will also cooperate with the investigations. And, hahahahaha, a lot of you must be scared by that proposition.===
Yeah, because his word is so trustworthy.
Please.
- Secret Square - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 2:14 pm:
Amy, if only Hunter Thompson were still around to chronicle “Fear and Loathing in Illinois”… the Rod saga was made for someone like him.
- OneMan - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 2:23 pm:
Secret Square -
I think the good doctor would have said,
“When the going gets weird the weird turn pro and the pro’s become Illinois Governor’
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 2:28 pm:
I can’t stop watching this goofy video-it is cracking me up. And now the return of the Adam family. It really is a gonzo journalists dream. A plethora of weirdness calling for the right writer to fully embrace.
- Vote Quimby! - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 2:37 pm:
Nobody went out on a more disturbing note than HST!
- Todd - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 2:45 pm:
As someone who skydived, I can only hope. his actions would have caused him to tumble out of control, not fall. shortly there after, as his parachute opened, it would have become a death shroud as he made the last few thousand foot plunge.
we can only hope.
rich try posting the audio from blood upon the risers.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 3:21 pm:
If Blago really wants to do a reality TV show, why not just do his life from now through the trial. He’d make a fortune. Just put the cameras in the house and let ‘em roll. They’ve already reached the freak family level so why not let it roll?
- Merry-Go-Round - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 3:23 pm:
History has a way of repeating itself, and this is not the first time that the Addams Family has provided criminal representation for a troubled elected official.
Someone should ask former State Rep. Pat Bailey what she thinks of Sam Adams.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 3:40 pm:
Who else could almost hear the Hawk announcing when reading the 2nd line…
“You can put it on the board………YESSSSSSSSS!”
- Secret Square - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 4:02 pm:
“The younger Adam aided Blagojevich during impeachment proceedings in Springfield.” They forgot to add “though not very competently, as he apparently didn’t know the difference between a criminal trial and an impeachment hearing.”
- colby - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 4:17 pm:
I don’t understand- why is he shooting a promo for a show he can’t star in?
“Sorry, but it only takes one juror who is enjoying free bus rides to keep him free.”
Well, one juror who is enjoying free bus rides AND can’t separate that enjoyment from the facts of the case (And even THAT wouldn’t produce an acquital). Voir dire and judge’s instructions are going to make it pretty tough for such a person to get seated on the jury.
“when Blago relaizes that he is dead meat, he will also cooperate with the investigations.”
There’s not a whole lot the feds want from him besides maybe just giving up. You gotta remember, this is a former governor we’re talking about. There’s no one else for him to roll over on, we’re already at the Capone level.
- Amy - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 4:19 pm:
Secret Square: can’t you just picture Hunter with a bottle of some drink and a great big gun in the woods in Southern Illinois, car filled with all sorts of illegal substances, perhaps the large lawyer with him, writing magic? Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail indeed. and Hunter could write all about the Olympics quest in Illinois too! Matt Taiibi is a loathesome sexist toad, but he is a Hunter wannabe. perhaps Matt can come to Illinois and write something for Rolling Stone.
- If It Walks Like a Duck... - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 6:08 pm:
If you hang someone out to dry, you abandon them when they are in trouble. This stunt proves it, however in the words of Steve Martin in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: “Ha, you did it to yourself!”
- been there before - Friday, Apr 24, 09 @ 11:57 pm:
As to representation by the Adams Family now that the money may be available. Not so fast, Jr. talked a little too much and had meetings that will be outside the attorney client privilage. He is a potential witness and I would not be surprised to a see a motion to disqualify as at least Jr. could be potentially called as a witness.
Second, Judge Zagel and 219 S. Dearborn, are not the same as Cook County Courts. Antics not allowed and rigorous knowledge of the law required. Prosecutors and Zagel will eat Jr. alive.
- wordslinger - Monday, Apr 27, 09 @ 2:50 pm:
Been There, that sounds about right to me. Federal Court with Judge Zagel is a whole different ballgame than 26 and Cal.