The Blagojevich clown show continues
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rod Blagojevich finds himself up against the full might of the US Attorney’s office without a lead criminal defense attorney…
After one top Blagojevich lawyer quit, there’s just one attorney officially representing him now — his longtime friend Sheldon Sorosky.
Sorosky was never going to be the lead lawyer. He’s more of an advisor.
* More…
With a massive indictment due in April, he’s looking for more. So Blagojevich and his wife, Patti, met with Chicago lawyers over the weekend about adding to their legal team. One possibility for team leader is defense lawyer Tom Breen, lawyers involved in the case say. He has vast experience in federal court and at the criminal courts at 26th and California. […]
Sam Adam Sr. and Sam Adam Jr. handled some of Blagojevich’s impeachment issues. But the father-son team hadn’t committed to the federal case as of Monday, said attorney Michael Ettinger. He represents Robert Blagojevich, the ex-governor’s brother, who oversaw the governor’s campaign fund. He has not been charged. “No decision’s been made yet,” Ettinger said.
* This is tellling…
Breen declined to comment Monday, but was said to be interested in taking the case if the Adamses drop out.
The Adamses were the ones who encouraged Blagojevich to boycott the Senate impeachment trial and go on national TV instead. They also boxed out Ed Genson, who is one of the most sought-after criminal defense attorneys in Chicago. The moves were viewed with horror by other members of the defense bar, so getting them out of the way will probably be a must-do no matter who Blagojevich brings in.
* Wow…
The problem worsened right after Genson announced that he would withdraw. Adam was approached by a television crew and asked why Genson had dropped out.
Adam pointed to his head and said: “Cuckoo.'’
Adam said afterward he was only joking and imitating Mayor Richard M. Daley, who had said earlier that Blagojevich was “cuckoo.'’ But Genson wasn’t laughing.
“We want Sam in the case,'’ Ettinger said. “He is involved. But we don’t know at this point the extent of his commitment.'’
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:04 am:
Wow, that is truly poor form from Adam to rip on Genson like that.
- Concerned Observer - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:07 am:
And from Twitter…Blago to appear on Hannity Wednesday night.
- tom - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:12 am:
Have the Adams’ come close to malpractice in allowing their client to hang himself?
- tanstaafl - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:13 am:
===== “We want Sam in the case,’’ Ettinger said. “He is involved. But we don’t know at this point the extent of his commitment.’’ ======
Maybee Ettinger should have said “Wd don’t know if he should be committed” - LOL
- tanstaafl - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:14 am:
Should be “We don’t know if he should be committed”. Sorry for the typo
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:22 am:
Adam said afterward he was only joking and imitating Mayor Richard M. Daley, who had said earlier that Blagojevich was “cuckoo.’’ But Genson wasn’t laughing.
- and he is the lawyer? What a moron!
- Little Egypt - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:28 am:
Oh gosh, I was so hoping I would be able to see Blago Boy on TV this week. Thanks Rich for letting me know about Hannity. I guess there’s no takers for a book deal YET so he has to continue with the relentless rantings. I’m surprised about Hannity though - Colmes yes but Hannity?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:32 am:
Hey, I’d like to make a drive-by comment…
Are we finally seeing the level of professionalism Rod Blagojevich brought to the Office in 2003? Without Mell, without the Illinois Democratic Party, and without state government staffers, is this the real Rod Blagojevich?
The longer this guy talks, the more I really wonder how the Illinois Democratic Party could have ever fallen for this guy as a state representative, as a US Congressman with no record of accomplishments, as a gubernatorial candidate, or as a governor. How stupid are these people to support this man - ever?
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:33 am:
Thanks a lot VanMAn
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:37 am:
If Blago can’t tap his campaign fund for new lawyers, I’m sure all the folks he’s helped make rich over the years will step up to the plate and help him out. Honor among thieves?
In his end of year disclosure, Friends of Blago had paid Genson $500,000, Sorosky $100,000, and zip to the Adam’s Family (snap, snap). Why he let them take the lead is another mystery in the madness.
- SpfldJimbo - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:41 am:
Gee…and the Adamses have done such a bang-up job so far.
- SpfldJimbo - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:43 am:
Van Man…..You’re right. The Party has been stupid up to this point, second only to those that voted for this clown as Governor…twice!
- You Go Boy - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:43 am:
At some point even the idiots on TV will realize there is no gain in putting The Fool on…apparently Jerry Springer has taken a pass, so what does that tell you? These lawyers risk much in taking him on: integrity lost (assuming there was some to begin with); Major Frustration with the idiot client that WONT LISTEN; maybe not getting paid; not getting the po$istive media exposure due to the fact Blago will have had way over his 15 minutes & people are sick of his schtick; No longer a novelty, he will be seen for what he truly is, crud. Letterman was getting there….
- Wumpus - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:47 am:
Perhaps Balgo should put that “C” average to use and defend himself. James Trafficant (another politician with famous hair) became a local hero in part because he defended himself (and fought agaist forclosures) until he went to prison.
- Sangamon - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:48 am:
The best thing that Blago could do is plead this out. He only needs one attorney to do that.
Where the trouble begins, is when someone starts lying to investigators and prosecutors.
He needs to stand up and accept responsibility.
- Leave a light on George - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:52 am:
How ironic would it be if after all Gov. F- Rod,after all he has done to the taxpayer he ends up with a public defender - payed for by the taxpayer!
- Legaleagle - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 10:55 am:
Tom: Lawyers don’t “allow” a client to do anything.Lawyers advise and recommend, and many clients choose to ignore the advice. Blago should cut a deal now, serve two years at Oxford, Wisconsin working on his golf game,and move on. George Ryan would have been released long ago had he listened to the advice to cut a deal early.
- Leave a light on George - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 11:19 am:
By the way, this media tour/Can’t find a lawyer show is a perfect example of how the ex - Gov “lead” this state for 6 years.
- Cynic - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 11:20 am:
Legaleagle - while I agree with you on the role of attorneys, I don’t think the feds are going to want a sweetheart deal with Rod. He’s made this entire process a farce and they can’t take kindly to that.
I’d be shocked if the feds were offering him any deal at this point (they will wait until he’s been indicted) and when the time comes, I imagine they’ll be looking for a minimum of 5 years behind bars. If they go to trial, I suspect they will be gunning for at least double.
- Silverback - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 11:23 am:
Hannity has Geraldo commenting alot. Now Blago. Maybe it is a job interview.
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 11:56 am:
Blago on Hannity? Is there enough room in the studio for those two egos?
Is it sweeps week or something?
- Amy - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 1:02 pm:
so that would mean Breen would have Sanchez and Blago. didn’t HDO pay the Sanchez retainer?
- tom - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 1:15 pm:
Legaleagle,
“Lawyers don’t “allow” a client to do anything.Lawyers advise and recommend, and many clients choose to ignore the advice.”
A good ones refuse to represent a client who won’t listen to advice, i.e. Genson
- Concerned Observer - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 1:17 pm:
>>>Is it sweeps week or something?
Well, actually…yeah.
- honesty in government - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 1:37 pm:
Since many of the DIrectors and Deputies will need lawyers maybe their is a group plan for them
- Cynic - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 1:54 pm:
tom - it’s significantly more complicated than that. Sometimes a client gives every indication that he/she will take advice and then changes course. Other times strategy can be a true “toss-up”. But most importantly, you’re missing the fact that lawyers have an ethical obligation to their clients once they sign on. If the client then acts the fool, the lawyer can’t necessarily extricate himself from the situation as cleanly as Genson did.
- train111 - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 2:09 pm:
Van-Man 10:32
You are right on the money. As someone who has voted consistently in every Democratic primary since I can remember, and as a Paul Vallas/Edwin Eisendrath voter, it gives me disgust to no end that the leadership of the party stood idly by knowing entirely what a putz RRB was.
It was obvious to lots of people, but not to those in postitions of power. Even in 2006 MM and EJ stood together as cochairmen of Rod’s campaign to try and prevent anybody from challenging him in the primary. Seems they enjoyed their positions and perks more than they wanted good government.
For all the comments that I’ve made on here that lampoon the Illinois GOP, this one is to skewer the Illinois Dems who have all of a sudden been converted to the religion of reform after years of standing by and idly watching the state’s destruction and narily lifting a finger to prevent the oncoming storm!!!
train111
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 2:12 pm:
===Seems they enjoyed their positions and perks more than they wanted good government.===
I wrote about this a long time ago. I asked MJM point blank about why he wouldn’t support someone against RRB in the primary. He said he did that once with Dan Walker and ended up with 26 years of GOP rule.
- Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 2:15 pm:
What respected “Talking Head” would want citizen Blagoof for an interview and let him further lie to the public? Oh, sorry, I did start with the word respected. Sorry, never mind.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 2:50 pm:
He said he did that once with Dan Walker and ended up with 26 years of GOP rule.,/i>
Good question and interesting answer.
- Pete - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 4:07 pm:
Van-Man/Train111,
You also have to remember that the “party” you blame didn’t even endorse Rod for governor in 2002 primary. If I’m not mistaken, the party base - Cook County - went with Vallas in that election and downstate pulled Rod through.
- dupage dan - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 4:38 pm:
Hmmmmm - more GOP rule or RodGov for at least 4 more years. You could call that a tough choice except that no one made Madigan take on his long time position as majority leader. The evidence of severe problems w/RodGov was fairly obvious to many prior to the last election.
Why is it that he has no cojones when some of these tough decisions have to be made? Recently, Madigan said that he said he wouldn’t have backed a recall provision because he worried that RodGov would have vetoed it? If I have my facts wrong I’m sure I will be corrected.
I respect my leaders more when they make hard decisions that are in the interests of the people. Our late Senator, Paul Simon, voted for NAFTA years ago knowing that unions would tear into him for that. He voted for it anyway saying he felt it was the best for the country. Peter Fitzgerald brought Patrick Fitzgerald to Illinois as his choice for US attorney knowing full well that he would most likely lose the support of the GOP. He has my eternal gratitude for that. I support people like that. If I get a chance to vote for Paul Vallas should he choose to run for state office again.
- LINK - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 6:07 pm:
CHICAGO — Two of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s top aides are out of a job just like their old boss.
Friday is the last day for chief Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero and Deputy Gov. Louanner Peters.
Bob Reed, Gov. Pat Quinn’s spokesman, confirmed Guerrero’s departure. Peters confirmed hers. Reed wouldn’t divulge the fate of other top Blagojevich advisers who were on the state payroll.
Blagojevich was removed from office Jan. 29.
Peters had been a deputy since December 2006. She was paid more than $135,000 a year as of June 2007. The 38-year-old Guerrero had been Blagojevich’s spokesman since June.
A former Chicago Sun-Times reporter, Guerrero took the job with Blagojevich after working in the Cook County assessor’s office. His annual salary was $120,000.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Feb 10, 09 @ 8:15 pm:
Examples of the proper application of vicing by a new administration - Probably just warming up and honing the edge.