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More Blagojevich fallout: Feds interview Congressman Jackson

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Sun-Times reports today that federal investigators want to know why Rod Blagojevich believed he would get $1.5 million in campaign contributions from an associate of Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. in exchange for appointing Jackson to the then-vacant US Senate seat.

Jackson and his lawyers met with the feds over a week ago, according to the paper…

Among the areas of interest, sources say, was what Jackson told his representatives to convey to the Blagojevich camp on his behalf last year — a time Jackson sought the Senate seat appointment.

And, in a signal that the probe into dealings involving a possible Jackson appointment is still under way, witnesses and possible evidence involved in that part of the alleged scheme were recently subpoenaed by a federal grand jury, sources say.

Jackson has repeatedly claimed that he is not a target in the probe, and even said he was tipped off by the feds in advance of Blagojevich’s early-morning arrest.

The paper also has some internal call logs from the governor’s office which appear to show the congressman’s interest in the seat…

“JJJr called 2nd time — LM Gov returned call @ 4:50 p.m. on 10/24-JJ on plane,” the log states. “JJJr called a 3rd time @3:30 p.m. on 10-29.”

Blagojevich’s people contacted the congressman Nov. 25 about scheduling a meeting. The next day, the Rev. Jesse Jackson left a message for Blagojevich, saying he wanted to speak to the governor.

A Dec. 2 notation in the ex-governor’s log indicates: “Will prob do JJJr next week. But do not call him yet.”

Rod Blagojevich and congressman Jackson eventually met Dec. 8 — the day before Blagojevich was arrested.

…Adding… Oops. Forgot about this one…

Tribune Co. would have received as much as $45 million and a 5 percent stake in a leased Wrigley Field under a deal involving a state loan of $300 million toward restoring the historic ballpark, a proposal found in state documents shows.

A Nov. 19 memo released Monday night by the Illinois Finance Authority, marked “strictly confidential — for discussion purposes only,” outlines a complicated deal in which a new owner of the century-old stadium’s tenant, the Chicago Cubs, would pay $25 million a year for 30 years. […]

The Nov. 19 agreement, released to The Associated Press under the Freedom of Information Act, shows the finance authority, through a complex venture, would retain 95 percent interest in a company set up to lease Wrigley to a new Cubs owner until 2039.

In addition to the upfront contribution, the Tribune would control the other 5 percent.

What’s almost never discussed is the curious timing of former (and now current) budget guru John Filan’s transfer to the Illinois Finance Authority just as these talks were heating up last year.

* On another front, Mark Brown looks at the “beauty” of the feds’ conspiracy charge strategy against Blagojevich…

The beauty of tying everything together as a conspiracy is that jurors will be able to see the totality of the pay-to-play practices carried out by Blagojevich: from fund-raising schemes carried to completion early in his administration — on which his own fingerprints may be less distinct — to the shakedown interruptus captured on the wiretaps where his involvement will ring through loud and clear in his own voice.

I found it telling that the accusations of Blagojevich’s attempting to sell Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat, front and center after the governor’s December arrest, are practically secondary in his indictment. There’s just so much more coming at him now than the stuff on the wiretaps.

That’s going to be the biggest problem for his defense attorney. Any one of the charged schemes might be beatable from a defense viewpoint. But taken as a whole, it’s going to be difficult for Blagojevich to sell his story that he was an honorable public servant felled by his efforts to fight the political forces of evil.

* Related…

* Quinn nixes Blagojevich executive orderexecutive order on ethics

* Blagojevich Name Still Towers Over Far South Side

* He Can Run (To Disneyland)

* Zorn: Once again, Deb Mell puts family first

* Edgar: Burden of improving Illinois should fall on everyone’s shoulders

* Union wants TRS’s Bauman gone now

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Giannoulias rakes in mountains of cash, Burris raises none *** UPDATED x2 ***

Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

*** UPDATE 2 *** This is somewhat odd, but it probably can’t hurt…

The producer behind the “Barbershop” movies, “Soul Food” and “Nothing Like the Holidays,” showcasing Humboldt Park, has found another family with a compelling story to tell — this time in documentary form.

His subject: Alexi Giannoulias, the state treasurer, who is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by his mentor, President Barack Obama.

“He’s got an interesting story to tell. He’s young, and this is going to be an amazing political race,” says Mr. Teitel, who launched shooting at a small fundraising gathering for Mr. Giannoulias. The filmmaker arrived with camera and sound crew in tow.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From the Post-Dispatch blog…

This is from a written statement by Lance Trover, spokesman for the Illinois Republican Party. He notes that, four days ago, Moody’s downgraded the state’s rating on general obligation bonds from A1 to Aa3, and today, Fitch Ratings placed Illinois’ AA minus rating on a negative credit watch.

“While the Illinois bond rating tumbles, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has been spending his time raising money for a U.S. Senate race,’’ Trover wrote. “. . . On the same day the State of Illinois appeared on a credit watch list, Alexi Giannoulias was busy trumpeting his fundraising numbers for a political campaign. … Blagojevich Democrats have created a fiscal crisis and instead of serving as financial watchdog for the people of Illinois, Giannoulias is focused on his next political move.’’

Um, how exactly is Giannoulias supposed to have prevented that downgrade?

[ *** End of Update *** ]

* Wow. Just wow. Giannoulias had hoped to raise about half of this when he started out. Considering the current economic climate, this is freaking huge…

He’s still just at the “exploratory committee” stage, but Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has already raised $1.1 million in the 28 days since he announced he was “exploring” a run for U.S. Senate.

He is eyeing the seat formerly held by his friend and basketball court partner, President Obama.

“It’s actually unbelievable on two counts: The sum of $1.1 million, in and of itself, is unbelievable, but the fact that it’s in the worst political fund-raising environment that, I think, any of us have ever seen, makes it all the more extraordinary and impressive,” said political activist and fund-raiser Michael Bauer.

The Washington Post reported a week ago that political donations are down 26 percent across the board from two years ago, presumably because of the economic downturn. Giannoulias supporters said this big a haul — with no Giannoulias personal or family loans, PAC or corporate money — in the 28 days before the March 31 quarterly reporting deadline appears to be a record.

Giannoulias told me last night that there is no personal money in that mix. That $1.1 mil may also be close to a one-month US Senate record, by the way.

And Bill Daley has been awful quiet lately, hasn’t he? He wasn’t using a threat of a US Senate run to leverage that ambassadorship to China, was he? Whatever the case, floating his name constantly in Sneed’s column didn’t seem to hurt Giannoulias’ fundraising one little bit.

* Meanwhile, appointed US Sen. Roland Burris said yesterday he still hasn’t made up his mind about whether he’ll run for real and added…

He has not raised any money for a run.

Surprise, surprise.

* And in another race, Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s campaign fired off a blast e-mail to supporters yesterday asking them to vote in an online poll…

Right now the Chicago Tribune is hosting an online poll that asks if Lisa should run for governor. Cast you [sic] ballot and let your opinion be known by clicking on the link

Clicking on the link shows her efforts haven’t worked wonders…

Yes (1107 responses) 41.6%
No (1552 responses) 58.4%
2659 total responses (Results not scientific)

Maybe it was the typo.

* Related…

* Sweet: Madigan debuts in D.C. as state decision looms : Madigan, in a brown pants suit, flanked by men all wearing grey, was trying on the big stage to see how it fit. It fit fine.

* Illinois attorney general, feds crack down on mortgage scams

* Feds, states clamp down on refinancing schemes

* State’s attorney vows to change search warrant filing system

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