* 10:04 am - From the US Attorney’s office…
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois will issue a press release and provide a court filing late this afternoon, Thursday, April 2, 2009, regarding a significant criminal matter. The announcement will be made via press release only, which together with the court filing, will be distributed initially by email and posted later today on the U.S. Attorney’s Office web site at www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln. There will be no press conference.
Also, there will be no court appearances today – and none are scheduled yet – in connection with this matter. Court scheduling information will be provided when it becomes available.
* 10:23 am - From the Tribune…
Sources familiar with the situation said the announcement is expected to be the indictment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and others on corruption charges.
* 11:25 am - From the SJ-R…
Capitol Fax writer Rich Miller wrote on his blog (thecapitolfaxblog.com) that the former governor would be a guest blogger for the month of April.
“I’ve really missed the guy,” Miller wrote. “Revenues have been down a little since Rod left office, so I’m sure this will help my business while performing a great public service.”
Commenters quickly identified the post as an April Fools’ prank.
I don’t think I ever admitted it was a prank.
* 12:58 pm - Natasha Korecki has posted an indictment road map. Here are a couple of the more interesting suppositions…
Others will be charged. But don’t expect many new defendants. The 90-day deadline (which, by the way, was self-imposed by the government — the feds could have asked for another extension) only pertains to the two people charged in a criminal complaint: Rod Blagojevich and his ex-chief of staff, John Harris. So even though there’s many others in the government’s sights, the clock isn’t ticking on an indictment return […]
Are any Senate candidates or their emissaries in trouble? Don’t expect that question to be answered today. The indictment is expected to focus largely on the ex-governor’s own conduct and that of his fund-raising operation.
Expect there to be some detail involving Blagojevich’s alleged scheming to appoint Valerie Jarrett to the Senate seat and his discussions with her emissary, SEIU official Tom Balanoff (who is cooperating but not a target). There’s not likely to be new revelations concerning discussions with representatives of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (Candidate 5 in the complaint).
- 2ConfusedCrew - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:09 am:
I’m going to DisneyWorld
- Vote Quimby! - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:12 am:
Enjoy Florida, Private Citzen! Ask not for who the bell tolls…
- Speaking at Will - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:12 am:
Looks like I’m going to have some reading to do.
- Vote Quimby! - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:12 am:
What!? No tweet from Fitz?
- trafficmatt - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:14 am:
Rich,
You better work quick if you still want Blago to do some columns for the blog. LMAO
- Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and Cubs Fan - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:15 am:
This is just like watching a “no-hitter” in progress, wait for it……….. your patients will be rewarded.
- Rufus - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:15 am:
Just a short hope to Cuba from Orlando
- Concerned Observer - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:15 am:
I love the Announcing of the Announcement.
(note: this doesn’t mention an indictment…I mean, we don’t know, they could be filing for an extension of the grand jury…and no, I don’t think that’s likely, but still)
- downhereforyears - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:16 am:
Sounds like Fitz isn’t going to make he same mistake he made at the arrest…. he’s letting the indictment speak for itself
- Concerned Observer - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:16 am:
That said: the Trib reports:
Sources familiar with the situation said the announcement is expected to be the indictment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and others on corruption charges.
- Tom B. - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:26 am:
Can you do a radio show from jail?
- Enjoying the Magic Kingdom? - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:26 am:
Ding dong, Rod. Ding. Dong.
- Rep. John Fritchey - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:28 am:
But keep in mind that the announcement of a court filing with no press conference could mean a request for an extension.
- Concerned Observer - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:30 am:
Fritchey’s got my back!
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:31 am:
Feels like an up day to me. And remember, he has nothing to fear but the truth.
- Macbeth - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:32 am:
I love the Disney World / criminal indictment mix. It’s weird — or maybe not so weird? — that the Blagojevich media mix is always filled with bizarre, ham-fisted, culturally inappropriate mixed metaphors.
I mean, it’s almost designed so that one isn’t sure whether to think, “Gee, the guy really is clueless.” Or: “Wow, this is one media-savvy, culturally cutting-edge dude.”
If I were back at Umich — and back in my cultural studies classes — I would be in heaven now. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.
- Vote Quimby! - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:35 am:
Is he applying for a job at Disney World? Which Disney character would our fomer governor most likely play:
1) Pinnochio
2) Goofy
3) Uncle Scrooge
- bored at work - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:45 am:
Sorry for the kids. Really bored at work today so this is a highlight for me.
- Former State Employee 2 - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:46 am:
It wouldn’t be Uncle Scrooge, because he watched his pennies and didn’t give a thing away.
- bored now - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:52 am:
most kids are embarrassed by their parents. might be a little early in life for them, but they weren’t going to avoid that scenario anyway.
i do feel bad for rod’s family, but he brought it upon himself. what a waste…
- Little Egypt - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:54 am:
Applicable Disney movies:
1. Talespin
2. Robin Hood
3. Who Framed Roger Rabbit (or Rod Blagojevich)
4. The Emperer’s New Groove
5. Goof Troop
6. Brother Bear (or Brother Bob)
7. Teamo Supremo
- Bill - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:54 am:
Would an indictment mean that they actually found some evidence after seven years? Probably not.
- Anon sequitor - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:55 am:
What are the travel rules for someone under indictment? Obviously there are few or none since Blago has been jetsetting to NYC for TV appearances and is now on “Spring Break” in Orlando. But assuming there is a new indictment, could US Atty ask for restrictions?
- Slick Willy - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 10:59 am:
Quimby - you forgot Dopey.
- soccermom - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:01 am:
Would prosecutors have to appear in court to request an extension? Given that Tuesday is the deadline, are their tea leaves to be read in this line?
“Also, there will be no court appearances today – and none are scheduled yet – in connection with this matter.”
- Toni H. - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:13 am:
A trip to Disney is NOT cheap for an entire family - who could be footing this trip with both parents out of work? Yeah, Yeah, Yeah…the book deal…but still…kinda’ freaky to think about the cost of the trip… don’t know???
- Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and Cubs Fan - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:21 am:
Bill, are you into to that funny “kool-aide” again?
- Little Egypt - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:27 am:
Disney lets you in free on your birthday. So maybe the trip is only costing them 3/4 of the usual rate. Look up Saratoga Springs at Disneyworld and the prices sure aren’t cheap. I’m betting they’re staying in one of the 3 bedroom tree villas (1 for the girls, 1 for him, 1 for her).
- Secret Square - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:30 am:
Toni, I’d suspect Daddy Mell footed at least some of the bill for this trip. Perhaps as an Easter gift to his grandkids.
- Toni H. - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:33 am:
Secret Square - I bet you are correct on Daddy dollars. Still freaky to me - I think it’s a HUGE publicity thing…surely an “interview” or “comments” from a FAMILY vacation in Disney concerning his indictment will be plastered all over the news…here he is on vacation with his family in Disney (the perfect father, husband) how could there be any truth to the indictment - more poison for the jury pool as far as I’m concerned.
- Levois - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:38 am:
Not sure what to say. Don’t want to be mean, although I’m not surprised the day is near. It was bound to happen since he got arrested.
Pingback Will Blagojevichs’ Need a Babysitter Today? « Your Two Cents - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:51 am:
[…] U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s office put out a press release today announcing a release release will be released later this afternoon on yet to be disclosed legal action. […]
- Jake from ? - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:52 am:
Why do I get the feeling that Rod will get booted from the Hall of Presidents when he attempts to stand in place right next to the mechanical Chester Arthur?
- Vote Quimby! - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 11:54 am:
Slick Willie: touche’ My kids are more into Suite Life, Wizards and other brain fuzz Disney puts out now…
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 12:01 pm:
I don’t think I ever admitted it was a prank.
So put him on, then! Let’s Rumble!
- scoot - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 12:01 pm:
“Would an indictment mean that they actually found some evidence after seven years? Probably not.”
Let see…for starters how about perjury…and will go from there. Thats what put Ryan in the big house.
- bored now - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 12:06 pm:
the good thing about orlando is that they have international flights out of the city to almost everywhere. even if he was indicted today, it would probably take a few hours to get that information to airport security. he’s got a strong flee plan available there…
- Leave a light on George - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 12:29 pm:
Vote Quimby I vote for Peter Pan. “I don’t wanna grow up.”
- consulthammer - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 12:35 pm:
Hey Rod whatt are you going to do now that you have benn indicted?
“I am going to Disney World!”
Read an excerpt from “One Hundred Percent Guilty,” @
http://consulthammer.com/page8.html
- Quinn T. Sential F/K/A Blago Sphere "TM" - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 12:50 pm:
Was my hypothesis considered a “rumor” which was deleted or held for moderation?
Remember that a hypothesis (from Greek ὑπόθεσις [iˈpoθesis]) consists either of a suggested explanation for an observable phenomenon or of a reasoned proposal predicting a possible causal correlation among multiple phenomena.
In framing a hypothesis, the investigator must not currently know the outcome of a test or that it remains reasonably under continuing investigation. Only in such cases does the experiment, test or study potentially increase the probability of showing the truth of a hypothesis. If the researcher already knows the outcome, it counts as a “consequence” — and the researcher should have already considered this while formulating the hypothesis. If one cannot assess the predictions by observation or by experience, the hypothesis classes as not yet useful, and must wait for others who might come afterward to make possible the needed observations.
I thought that I did a reasonable job of illustrating a test which could have given credence to the hypothesis or given cause for further investigation through alternate means if the prospective consequence I identified became manifest.
- the Patriot - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 1:11 pm:
Too much! First, “Pirates” anyone. Johnny Depp has nothing on the Hair. Second, hows about a friday QOTD suggestion.
What reality/TV show would you like to see Blago on and why? Explain the probable outcome.
Rich, if Blago doesn’t get a gift basket from you this year, you should be ashamed of yourself!
- Anon - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 1:49 pm:
Sorry to interrupt the glee everybody is expressing here, but lets remember that this is a sad for Illinois. Not only for the citizens who have been denied honest government (and not jsut from blago), but for the families of those who will be named in the indictments. I’m not saying that those named have never acted in such a way that would justify their demise, but celebrating it seems heartless and petty.
Just my opinion. I think that today is a sad day.
- David Ormsby - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 2:17 pm:
Anon.
It will be a happy day for Illinois. Happy because justice works for all–even when the word “Governor” appears before your name.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 2:23 pm:
Does this mean today is the real Fitzmas? And, didn’t Fitz say something at his December press conference about not wanting to wait “until spring” to file charges because a crime (i.e. the Senate seat sale) was in progress and had to be stopped? That, to me, seems to imply that even WITHOUT the Senate seat and Trib allegations, a pretty big indictment would have come up about now anyway.
- Ahem - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 2:34 pm:
The sad day for Illinois was two days, when Blago was elected, and when he was re-elected.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 3:51 pm:
Quinn T. Sential, moronic posts like that will get you banned permanently. Final warning. I’ve deleted you twice today for different violations of this blog’s clear policies.
I’m not kidding. Final warning. And I don’t mean final warning for today, either. No more.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 4:01 pm:
I’m sorry but this is a happy day, and I could give a hoot about the adult family members of those indicted. The level of corruption that has been a routine occurrence under this governor’s administration has been blatant and anyone working in a state agency knew they were breaking hiring and procurement rules. He and his helpers operated with a level of arrogance that is hard to fathom, and they had no regard for the lives of those they fired or stomped on.
- Stooges - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 4:02 pm:
That last anonymous post was mine. And I’m still happy.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Apr 2, 09 @ 4:23 pm:
It must be taking them a REALLY long time to scan and post all the documents.