Coinkydink?
Monday, Aug 14, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
This could be nothing. Then again…
Weeks after he was interviewed by federal agents last year as part of a corruption investigation, Gov. Rod Blagojevich filed a rare revision to one of his ethics disclosures to include more personal gifts.
The move raises parallels to changes made by Blagojevich’s predecessor, convicted felon George Ryan, who amended his ethics statements after being questioned by federal prosecutors. […]
n late February or early March 2005, Blagojevich was questioned by federal investigators. According to the governor’s office, Blagojevich was asked about allegations made by his father-in-law, Chicago Alderman Richard Mell, that $50,000 campaign contributions were being traded for state appointments, an allegation Mell later recanted under threat of a lawsuit.
A couple weeks later, on March 15, 2005, Blagojevich signed off on an amended ethics statement for 2003. In the gifts of $500 or more section, he added four couples and one individual.
The gifters included Tony Rezko and Dick Mell.
- Still Anon - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 6:49 am:
Gee, I hope he didn’t forget his “thank you” notes.
- Anonymous - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 8:33 am:
There’s much more here. Tip of the iceberg.
- Pat Hickey - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 8:39 am:
‘The gifters included Tony Rezko and Dick Mell. ‘
Rich, I thought you typed GRIFTERS - my mistake.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 9:49 am:
No. It is not coincidence.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 10:06 am:
Rich, when are we going to see the piece with the parallel timelines for Ryan and Blagojevich?
- Buck Flagojevich - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 10:40 am:
Same names, different “problems”. There’s a coincidence. Blago’s pattern with the Fed’s has been to clean up his mess after they point it out.
- REFORMER - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 10:48 am:
If the Governor can revise the Gift Ban part of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, then he can make changes to the part of the Act that makes Executive Inspector General’s report public information!
After all, the Suntimes reported Saturday that they have obtained a copy of a confidential report completed by the current EIG, James Wright.
- HANKSTER - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 10:53 am:
prove that these gifts, all of which seem to be from people he has been friends with for years prior to becoming governor, were directly tied to state benifits recieved and you might have a story otherwise, who cares.
- Ashur Odishoo - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 1:18 pm:
*tick, tick, tick*
- Little Egypt - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 2:21 pm:
Hankster, seems you’re having a difficult time today expressing your opinions. Perhaps some time in the naughty chair would be beneficial.
- Lovie's Leather - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 2:53 pm:
So this is what it looks like… Dick Mell gives $50000 to the campaign in exchange for jobs of people he knows… and then criticizes the governor for it. That is what it looks like atleast…. The Democratic corruption machine grows and grows….
- annon. - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 4:03 pm:
Said it before & I’ll say it again . What did you or do you expect from this bunch ??? Same old stuff …just more of it !! You’d think that he’d be familiar with this in his “ETHICS” program & training ALL {or maybe not all apparently} state employees must take yearly with possible discplinary problems if they don’t ! I’m sure he’s familiar with the “Illinois Statement of Economic Interest” he filled out as a legislator & I’m sure Congress has got a a few tough rules as well {just ask Tom DeLay for clarification} Oh ! I know ! I forgot that this stuff was wrong ??? They’re not just good ideas Rod…it’s the rules !!!
- HANKSTER - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 5:07 pm:
Little Egypt - Rich hates me.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 5:11 pm:
Please, Hanskter, try to get over yourself. I don’t “hate” you.
- HANKSTER - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 5:12 pm:
Thanks Rich, I dont hate you either. Goodnight.
- Buck Flagojevich - Monday, Aug 14, 06 @ 6:11 pm:
Just for the Hankster, courtesy of Buffalo Springfield
“Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
You step out of line, the man come and take you away
We better stop, hey, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down
Stop, hey, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down
Stop, now, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down
Stop, children, what’s that sound
Everybody look what’s going down”
- HANKSTER - Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 9:05 am:
Bucker: It is a sad day for you republicans when then only way you can hope to win an election is for someone to be indicted.
- anon - Tuesday, Aug 15, 06 @ 5:08 pm:
I don’t see a connection here. There is no story. This is a lot of hype over nothing.