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Probe expanding? Plus: Which Adam was it?

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* From the Sun-Times

The federal corruption probe that has shone a national spotlight on Gov. Blagojevich now has his brother — who chairs his campaign fund — increasingly under the microscope.

Law enforcement authorities, who are sifting through thousands of tape recordings in the case, have shown interest in talking with Robert Blagojevich, not only about the governor, but other aspects of the investigation, the Sun-Times has learned.

Rob’s lawyer says he’s not interested in talking to the feds…

“Would he cooperate and talk to the government?” Ettinger said. “Not a prayer.”

* Meanwhile, we’ve talked about this before

[Congressman Danny Davis], speaking on the phone from Chicago, said he met with Blagojevich attorney Sam Adam Jr. last Wednesday morning. The two met in Davis’ Chicago office. Davis said he was told “the governor would like to appoint me to the vacant spot.” After Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9, Davis, who sought the appointment from him when he thought Blagojevich was playing it straight, said he would not take the job if offered.

But that report may have been in error. Here’s the NY Times’ version

Representative Davis met with Sam Adam Sr., a well-known criminal defense lawyer here whose son has represented Mr. Blagojevich during the impeachment hearings in Springfield, in Mr. Davis’s Chicago office. [emphasis added]

So, it was the father, not the son?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 9:23 am

Comments

  1. The lawyer’s involvement in setting up the Senate appointment leads me to believe that it’s part of a defense strategy in a future criminal trial.

    Let’s say Blago goes on trial on a charge of trying to sell the Senate seat. If he makes an appointment that is accepted by the Senate, or that the Supreme Court forces the Senate to accept, the defense can argue that validation undermines any criminal charge.

    In other words, if he were a crook, they wouldn’t allow him to make an appointment.

    Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 9:36 am

  2. === “Would he cooperate and talk to the government?” Ettinger said. “Not a prayer.” ===

    They all say that, then they decide less time in jail is better, and they talk.

    Comment by Ghost Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 9:44 am

  3. The real question is who went to the meeting not what was reported…..If Jr was there and there are also reports that he was the go-between with un-Sen. Burris on this GOVERNMENT he probably loses atty-client privelege. opps

    Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 9:50 am

  4. When it was discovered that Adam was the go between speculation centered on three possible reasons:

    1) that they were trying to run this process under attorney/client privilege
    2) that this was a legal strategy designed to show that the recordings about the quid pro quo were “just talk” because no one mentioned as part of those “just talk” schemes ended up getting appointed
    3) that the Gov is really detached from his paid staff

    If Sam Adam Sr and not Sam Adam Jr. was the go between then it would eliminate #1.

    Comment by Scooby Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 10:16 am

  5. The news here is that Davis talked.
    Why?

    By telling his tale, Davis presents himself as better than Burris and better than Blagojevich.

    How low could that hurdle be?

    By doing this, Davis weakens Burris. Why?

    Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 10:46 am

  6. Just to clarify for the NY Times, there are two Illinois lawyers named Sam Adam.

    One is Samuel Forbes Adam at 53 West Jackson. He was admitted to the bar in 1961.

    The other is Samuel Eugene Adam at 6133 South Ellis Garden Suite. He was admitted in 1999.

    Neither has Jr. or Sr. in their names.

    Comment by Cheswick Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 11:01 am

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