* Drip, drip, drip…

Tribune Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Sam Zell hired well-known defense lawyer Anton Valukas and was interviewed in January by federal prosecutors as a “potential witness” in the criminal investigation of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the company acknowledged Wednesday.

Some unanswered questions are finally addressed…

In their subpoena to Tribune Co., federal authorities sought information about potential staff cuts or changes to the newspaper’s editorial board. The company has said Tribune Co. executives did nothing inappropriate.

Tribune Co. also acknowledged state records, recently obtained by the Chicago Tribune, that show Zell making a phone call and giving a gift to Blagojevich. According to records of Blagojevich’s telephone logs, Zell placed a call to the governor Dec. 8, the day before the arrest.

Zell placed “courtesy calls” to several elected officials, including Mayor Richard Daley, that day to notify them the company had just filed for bankruptcy protection, according to the statement from Liebentritt. “Mr. Zell’s call to Mr. Blagojevich was not returned,” the statement said.

A bit of background on that December 8th phone call from Zell…

In an exchange of e-mails between [Tribune Co. adviser Marc Ganis] and [Rod Blagojevich’s chief of staff John Harris] on the day prior to the arrests of the governor and his chief of staff, Ganis provided Harris with a copy of a news story noting Tribune Co. had filed for bankruptcy. Harris responded, “Lousy product. Inevitable.” […]

Ganis also noted the Cubs were not part of the firm’s bankruptcy filing and said “Nils is going to call you and Sam is going to call the Gov.”

Zell and the Tribune Co. were attempting to work out a deal to get state help with selling Wrigley Field.

* Meanwhile, in other corruption news…

A city driver disciplined after five work accidents — including one that seriously injured a co-worker — told a federal jury Wednesday “yes, I am” a good driver.

Denise Garcia Cortez’s remarks came during the corruption trial of Al Sanchez. She testified that she first got her job after doing political work for the Hispanic Democratic Organization. She said she was trained but had little experience.

Last week, a witness testified that Cortez, whose name was Alcantar, won the job after Sanchez chose her from a political hiring list. Her test scores were doctored, former personnel director Jack Drumgould said.

Cortez admitted on the stand she applied for her job, not at City Hall, but at a club where HDO met. She said she left it on the table and was later called in, and eventually hired in 2002.

More…

Other witnesses in the trial, which began last week, have discussed how HDO was an important part of Mayor Richard Daley’s political organization.

But in putting Alcantar on the stand to talk about her checkered driving history, prosecutors clearly hoped to personalize what otherwise might be a relatively dry tale of rigged hiring processes and election campaigns.

* More reform and renewal…

* Woman claims Blagojevich firing for talking to FBI

* Hynes won’t release records of pre-need funeral trust

* Burris mum on pre-need funeral trust matter

* Burris Added to Special Election Lawsuit

* Sanchez Attorney: The Mayor Told Him To

* Let inspector general investigate aldermen

* Illinois man indicted on alleged Wis. kickback scheme