“Public Official A”
Friday, Apr 21, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
Apparently, an analysis on Keith Olbermann’s Countdown last night concluded that everyone labeled “Public Official A” by Patrick Fitzgerald has ended up being indicted. Although I should point out right now that just because a Fitzgerald semantics pattern has existed so far, it doesn’t mean it will continue.
Archpundit and Austin Mayor have more here. Atrios has a tiny bit here.
The transcript isn’t up yet, but that will be posted here sometime today.
Governor Blagojevich, of course, has been referred to as “Public Official A.”
UPDATE: From the NW Times:
But legal observers said Tuesday that the former governor’s conviction could spell trouble for Daley as well as for Gov. Rod Blagojevich. They said Daley and Blagojevich had ample cause for concern because Ryan was found to have intentionally ignored the corrupt activities of his employees while he was secretary of state.
“I think (Daley’s and Blagojevich’s) concept of insulation has just deteriorated very, very rapidly,” said Dan Sprehe, chief investigator for the Better Government Association. “The idea that the person at the top would never be put on trial — that whole fallacy is gone.” […]
Stuart Levine, a Highland Park lawyer, has been charged in connection with a kickback scheme that sought to direct state pension fund business to politically-connected consultants who were chosen by a high ranking government figure known as “Public Official A” in court documents.
Though Blagojevich is not named in any court filings, he is widely suspected to be “Public Official A,” and prosecutors have done little to quash that speculation.
“I’d be nervous,” said Kent Redfield, a professor of political studies and interim director of the Institute for Legislative Studies at the University of Illinois at Springfield. “I don’t know about his culpability or his lack of culpability … but obviously you have an allegation of influence peddling.
“Even if it doesn’t involve the governor directly, it certainly will be an issue in the fall (election).”
- Anonymous - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 6:25 am:
B R I N G
I T
O N ! ! !
- Save a Horse Ride a Harley - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 7:49 am:
IT
IS
COMING!!!
- Paul Powell - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 8:13 am:
Turb on the fan, I’ve said it here before, it is coming and some day your bring it on requests will be fulfilled. Did Ryan ever say bring it on? If he did, that was a mistake, I’ll bet he wishes now it would not have been brought on. Stay tuned all you bring it on folks!
- the Patriot - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 9:07 am:
Rod won’t go to jail, he has a great insanity defense. I mean look at those commercials. He really believes the budget is balanced, he is creating jobs, and the state is in good shape. Anybody that delusional has a great insanity defense. He still thinks he has a shot at the Whitehouse, now that is crazy.
On the other hand if he is convicted, there would be the downside to being elected Gov of IL so young. Lots of time left to serve, in prison.
- Bill - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 9:33 am:
I’m laughing so hard I just fell off my chair. You guys are a scream. I’m all shook up. Lay off of my Blue suede shoes!
and, oh yeah……..
Bring it on dudes.
- ChicagoCynic - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 10:07 am:
I saw that last night on Olberman and noted that to date, well, he was wrong. I think it’s waaaayyyy early to be talking about a Rod indictment. It took six years to get to George and while Rod is clearly the target, I would be SHOCKED if it happened before election day if at all. That said, I do expect indictments soon in at least one of the investigations. Sad…
- EmoKid21 - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 10:41 am:
Redfield is about as lame as they come!!!
- Bubs - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 11:03 am:
Remember years ago when Licenses for Bribes started out, and no one dreamed it would go all the way to Ryan? That took years.
With this one, it’s quite different. Rod is already identified in indictments, and a lot of people see good reason for him to be “nervous.”
It would certainly be a shock to see an indictment of a sitting Governor in a re-election season, as such as act would likely decide the election. But that doesn’t mean his cronies get a pass, nor does it bar the investigation from going forward.
It is shaping up as a long, hot summer.
- Papa Legba - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 11:48 am:
It took the Feds so long to get to Ryan because he had so many buffers and there were so many layers to peel away to get to all the good stuff. Blago and crew do it in the open and are lacking in the mental capacity to hide the obvious. Add in many disgruntled workers, squealing like little piggies, and that the Feds had at least one person WEAR A WIRE to record the goings on, I think they probably have enough already and are just putting on the final coats of polish. Or they have to keep amending the indictments on a regular basis to add new charges.
Trackback ArchPundit - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 12:34 pm:
Transcript and Video of the MSNBC Fitzgerald Piece
Transcript of relevant portion over at Austin Mayor’s place Video at Crooks and Liars (thank goodness for them—I’m not very good at this video editing thing) As Rich pointed out that Fitzgerald’s previous use of language doesn’t necessarily mean …
- Wumpus - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 12:43 pm:
I bet the Stalker aka Olberman is begging that the Loudmouth, Oreilly be named as public offical a. Rich, you love your job enough to watch Olberman?
- Sound Reasoning - Friday, Apr 21, 06 @ 2:43 pm:
It’s amazing that all the people that aren’t the Governor are boastfully stating ‘bring it on’ while the Governor is keeping quiet hoping without hope to stay under the fed’s radar. The Governor must be at least smart enough not to give the feds even more reasons to look his way.
It’s easy for individuals that aren’t going to go down with the Governor to boast ‘bring it on’.
- Dem Voting R - Monday, Apr 24, 06 @ 12:42 pm:
I continue to find it amazing that bloggers and the rest of the scandal-crazed celeb-watching public seem to think that guessing what is going on in Fitz’ office yields anything but the windbag posturing that gave our city is moniker. A prosecutor will announce charges when HE is ready. A jury will render a verdict when it is time. Until then, all else is fluff and rumor. So let’s sit back and maybe concentrate on the issues - like Blago going negative so early in the campaign, and whether JBT puts forward a positive agenda that answers the issues. Until then, you should all ready People magazine if you want to indulge in ‘the private lives of those in the news.’ Suri, anyone?