* This was not a good day for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, of course, but the claim that got some of the most media play, that Rezko tried to extort a $1.5 million campaign contribution for Blagojevich, was found to be not credible by the jury. Rezko was found not guilty on that count. Here’s some background…
That charge alleges Rezko tried to extort a $1.5 million campaign donation for Blagojevich from Thomas Rosenberg, a movie producer and a principal in the real-estate management firm Capri Capital. Prosecutors argued Rezko was part of a scheme to force the donation or a bogus finder’s fee from Rosenberg by stalling a $220 million investment that Capri was in line for from the Teachers’ Retirement System.
In his testimony, Rosenberg said he was never explicitly told to pay a fee to free up the teachers’ fund allocation.
In his closing argument last month, Rezko attorney Joseph Duffy said: “I don’t know how you have an attempted extortion where nobody asks the intended victim for anything.”
…Adding… I wrote about this charge back in February. I wasn’t much impressed with the US Attorney’s case on this particular charge, so I went on record back then. You can read that issue of Capitol Fax by clicking here.
…Also… As a commenter mentioned below, while the verdict on this particular charge is a bit of good news for the governor, it ain’t gonna be so great if Rezko flips on Blagojevich to keep himself out of prison for the rest of his life.
*** UPDATE 1 *** I’m told by a Chicago TV station that the governor is not expected to comment on this until after 6:30 tonight, which would be after the newscasts. Stay tuned for more.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The Trib puts some of the Blagojevich angle into perspective…
The fact that lawyers in Rezko’s trial mentioned the governor of Illinois 41 times during closing arguments alone doesn’t mean he knew anything of Rezko’s crimes. The feds have accused Blagojevich of no illegality whatsoever, and he consistently has maintained his innocence. But the governor’s excuse for not answering questions about Rezko trial testimony—There’s a pending court case!—is now moot. The governor is free to speak and should do so.
Fairly or not, that testimony has left a governor who vowed to clean up state government himself accused of scandal. Time and again he essentially was described as the prize doll in marathon games of pay-to-play: Fork over enough money to Blagojevich’s political coffers and you win his favor.
Three convicted political insiders have testified to Blagojevich’s alleged role in private meetings about the purchase of state jobs and state business with campaign contributions. Each of the three said the governor made it clear that people who raised money for his campaign would profit from his influence.
Read the whole thing.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Check back at 6:30 tonight because it looks like we’ll have live video coverage of a planned gubernatorial press conference. I’ll post the link if we get it.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:44 pm:
That spot of good news will be erased when Tony flips on Rod over the other 16 counts.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:45 pm:
That spot of good news will be erased when Tony flips on Rod over the other 16 counts.
I guess I should say “if” Tony flips.
- Happy - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:45 pm:
Does this mean Blago is off the hook?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:50 pm:
the jury only found that rezko’s participation in the matter was not clear…that does not mean they feel the entire allegation never took place…big difference
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:54 pm:
Anonymous, if you read the story I wrote about this, the defense basically said that Levine concocted this whole thing in his head and convinced Rosenberg it was true.
- Little Egypt - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:55 pm:
Hundreds of reporters who have been camped out at the private home of Rod Blagojevich finally had their chance to ask him one lingering question that was at the top of their list: “Guvna, is this an up day for you?” He replied, “$200 million times 10 equals $2 billion.” The crowd was elated that they finally got an answer to their question.
- Wacker Drive - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:56 pm:
You’d think there would be Blago press conference.
Can’t wait to hear the spin on this one.
- DHouser - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:56 pm:
What was Jack Franks and his father’s purported role in the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board of a new Mercy Hospital in Crystal Lake?
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:59 pm:
“Neither Blagojevich nor Obama has been accused of wrongdoing.”
–News reports are including this statement over the past hour.
- Cassandra - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:00 pm:
What an amazing confluence of events. Obama wins
the Democratic nomination and the next day his former friend and contributor is convicted in federal court.
Blago, who was, for a time, the governor with
credible (to some, anyway) aspirations to the WH
while Obama was an obscure state senator, now finds himself and his administration in ever deeper trouble, while Obama speeds on to the
WH,
You just never know.
- Sinister - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:01 pm:
presser at 6:30 on 16
- David Ormsby - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:05 pm:
Well, then, another up day.
- ChiCountryGuy - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:07 pm:
ABC7 is reporting that Rezko begins serving time immediately
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:10 pm:
A spot of cold comfort, perhaps, but he doesn’t have the reservoir of goodwill to mitigate the 16 counts.
It’s a disaster for the governor. Whatever moral authority he may have had to govern based on being elected twice is gone. And it’s not over. I don’t think Rezko is going to stand up for these 16 counts and the other ones in which he still faces trial. He’ll flip.
Perhaps the governor’s good counsel at Winston and Strawn might make some discreet, hypothetical inquiries with their pals in the Dirksen Building if a resignation would end any future indictments. I doubt it, but what do you have to lose?
The national press is spinning it as a disaster for Obama. We’ll see.
I’m curious what the governor will have to say at 6:30. He’s had a lot of time to work on his statement. Be a helluva leaders meeting tomorrow.
- Old Time State Employees - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:16 pm:
Applaud the verdict.
- Garp - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:18 pm:
I was wondering whether he would be out on bail after the verdict. If it was so hard for him to get out when presumed innocent, I can’t see them letting him loose now-but who knows.
Also, did his crack legal team tell him “fight this case and will get you off on 1/3 of the counts.” These mopes should have been barganing from the get go. Now instead of bartering for time, they’ll be trading for cellmates.
- Northside Bunker - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:19 pm:
This press conference should be one of those “priceless moments”.
Spin, Spin, Spin
- OneMan - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:27 pm:
Any guesses on what the press strategy will be, my guess…
Deny and re-direct.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:33 pm:
Does guilty on only 16 of 24 counts mean the Governor only throws Tony 2/3 of the way under the bus?
- He makes Ryan look like a Saint - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:42 pm:
NBC nightly news called the gov Rob Blag…..
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:47 pm:
I don’t believe that W & S will be the firm making those inquiries, fellas.
- Studdering Rod - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:54 pm:
Here’s a thought, let the press ask some real questions of Rod this time.
Wonder who will be the human shield(s) at 6:30, probably some Brownie Troop.
- Sweet Polly Purebred - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:56 pm:
Question of the day … Well the fat lady has sung the last note of her aria, when will Rezko make his formal singing debut????
- I can see clearly now - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 6:08 pm:
Is Rod’s press conference going to be like “Special Bulletin” on all the channels?
- 312 - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 6:37 pm:
Am I correct in assuming he’s not going to be on time for his press conference?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 6:39 pm:
LOL. Probably.
- iMAGINE - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 7:06 pm:
Maybe Rod had a bad reaction to Maalox or the Shakin’ Bake dinner tonight.