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This just in… Blagojevich prosecution roadmap released * Blagojevich responds *

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Illinois

* 1:03 pm - The US Attorney’s Rod and Rob Blagojevich prosecutorial roadmap will be made public, despite objections by defense attorneys…

U.S. District Judge James Zagel just issued an order granting “immediate access” to an evidentiary document in the [Blagojevich corruption] case and denies the defense’s request to black out portions of it. […]

Zagel says in his ruling: “The case for redaction has to be proven not presumed. It is not proven here. If the excerpt of a conversation would have a different meaning if more of the conversation were to be reproduced, the defendants here can reproduce it if either believes that the additional language would help defeat the claim of admissibility made by the prosecution.”

Defense lawyers called the document misleading.

* 1:06 pm - More from the judge’s decision…

The events which are the subject of this case are not those which make a lasting impression on the mind of readers. The words in papers and magazines and the words read by an anchor on radio or television will not be retained in significant detail by members of the public.

I expect that many members of the jury pool will have an impression about the case to be tried. Many have such impressions even now. I do not expect that the printed words in the proffer reprinted or read aloud by news readers will affect the ability of a significant number of potential jurors to comply fully with the rule that they must decide the case on the basis of the evidence heard in court without any reliance on whatever they remember that they read in or saw on the news.

For the foregoing reasons, the motion by Sun Times Media LLC, Associated Press, and Chicago Tribune Company to intervene and for immediate access to the Santiago proffer filed under seal is granted.

* 1:22 pm - A spokesman for the US Attorney’s office says the proffer will be distributed as soon as it is publicly docketed. That should be pretty soon. Stay tuned.

* 1:37 pm - Read the proffer by clicking here.

* Money grubbers…

Blagojevich, Rezko, Kelly, and Monk had conversations, individually and collectively, about how the four of them could make money from their control over the State of Illinois government. In those conversations, Blagojevich, Rezko, Kelly, and Monk discussed a number of specific ideas for making money, such as through operating businesses that would get state money in different ways or receiving fees from people who did business with the state. Blagojevich, Rezko, Kelly, and Monk did not expect to have to invest significant money in any of these deals; instead, they were simply looking to collect money from the deals in the form of a finder’s fee or from revenue that might be generated from the deals. As a general matter, Rezko was the one who was trying to set up the money-making arrangements and Kelly and Rezko were the most knowledgeable about how the plans would work. Blagojevich and Monk would then use their power and authority in state government as needed to assist whatever plans Rezko and Kelly put in place. […]

There were occasions after Blagojevich became Governor that Blagojevich, Kelly, Monk, and Rezko all met to discuss their efforts to make money from state action. For example, the four men met in a conference room at the offices of one of Rezko’s businesses in about mid to late 2003.

During the meeting, Rezko led the discussion, standing at an easel or chalkboard and listed at least three or four different ideas or plans to make money being developed by Rezko that involved some kind of state action. At times, Kelly got up during the meeting and clarified or added to things that Rezko was saying. Blagojevich mostly listened during the meeting, but was engaged. As Rezko talked, he indicated how much money Blagojevich, Kelly, Rezko, and Monk could hope to make from the different ideas. The amounts that were associated with the different ideas were typically in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per deal, which would be evenly split four ways.

* The Bear Stearns pension obligation deal, you will recall, involved an $809,000 finders fee for then-Republican National Committeeman Bob Kjellander from Bear Stearns. Kj loaned $600,000 of that to an associate of Tony Rezko, who then paid Kj back from the proceeds of another loan Rezko helped obtain “from another associate of Rezko’s who did business with the State of Illinois.”

Sheesh.

Chris Kelly was apparently upset that Rezko was dipping into the finders fee cash because that money was supposed to eventually be split among the big players, including Gov. Blagojevich…

In about 2004, Kelly told Monk that Kelly was “pissed off” at Rezko because Rezko needed $100,000 and took it from the Individual A account. Kelly indicated that he was upset because he thought Rezko’s withdrawal of the money would somehow alert the authorities to the existence of the account, so Kelly said he told Rezko to put the money back. Kelly was not concerned that Rezko was taking money that belonged to Blagojevich, Monk, Rezko, and Kelly, but that Rezko’s taking of the money might alert the authorities. Kelly mentioned on more than one occasion to Monk that he was upset with Rezko over this matter. Kelly subsequently indicated to Monk that Rezko put the money back in the account.

* Mrs. Blagojevich…

In around October 2003, Blagojevich’s wife entered into a contract on behalf of her company with Rezmar in which Blagojevich’s Wife’s Firm agreed to perform unspecified real estate brokerage services to Rezmar in exchange for a monthly retainer of $12,000 plus the possibility of additional commissions depending on the amount of deals brokered. Beginning in October 2003, at Rezko’s direction, Individual B prepared a series of $12,000 checks pursuant to that agreement, which Individual B delivered to Rezko or his assistant. Ultimately, Rezmar issued 8 separate $12,000 checks, totaling $96,000, to Blagojevich’s Wife’s Firm on approximately a monthly basis from October 2003 through May 2004. Those checks were deposited into a bank account held by
Blagojevich’s Wife’s Firm. […]

Blagojevich was concerned that there might be the perception that his wife was a ghost payroller if she did not go into Rezko’s offices. Monk had conversations with Blagojevich and his wife about the need for her to actually go into the office to work on a regular basis. The problem with that approach, however, was that Blagojevich’s wife was taking care of their infant daughter.

More…

At the closing of the two units, on January 19, 2004, a check for $40,000 was made payable to Blagojevich’s Wife’s Firm. That check was sent back to the title company with instructions that the check be issued to Rezmar. On January 21, 2004, the title company issued a new $40,000 check to Rezmar Realty. After Rezmar received the $40,000 check, Rezko directed Individual B to deposit the check into a Rezmar account and to write a $40,000 check to Blagojevich’s Wife’s Firm. On January 22, 2004, Individual B wrote a check to Blagojevich’s Wife’s Firm for $40,000. The check stub indicates that it was “assignment of funds.” On January 23, 2004, that check was deposited into a bank account held by Blagojevich’s Wife’s Firm. On the same day, Blagojevich’s wife wrote a $40,000 check to herself from her company’s bank account and deposited the check into her personal bank account. On or about January 24, 2004, Blagojevich’s wife then wrote a series of checks totaling $38,010 from her personal bank account to a number of vendors who had performed work on the Blagojevich home.

Disgusting.

* The despicable attempt to sell Obama’s Senate seat…

Blagojevich complained to Deputy Governor A that Blagojevich’s “upward trajectory” was stalled because of Obama’s election. Blagojevich told Deputy Governor A that Blagojevich had made “decisions at the expense of [his] family’s best interests for . . . [his] job as governor.” Blagojevich informed Deputy Governor A “now is the time for me to put my f___ing children and my wife first, for a change.” […]

Harris suggested that Blagojevich tell Labor Union Official that Blagojevich wanted to accommodate the president-elect, but also wanted to take care of the people of Illinois. Blagojevich responded by stating “Yeah. And, and, and my, and me, do I say me.” Harris stated “Right, by, by keeping me strong.” Blagojevich responded to Harris “But I don’t want that. I’m not looking for that. I’d like to get out, the f___ outta here.” Shortly thereafter, Blagojevich stated that “the objective is to, to get a good gig over there.” […]

Based on Harris’s prior conversations with Blagojevich, Harris informed Blagojevich that Harris had told Deputy Governor A that they were looking for a “reasonable ask” in exchange for the Senate seat that “takes care” of Blagojevich’s family and keeps Blagojevich’s future political ambitions open. […]

Deputy Governor A stated that the director of one foundation was “on two corporate boards and makes around $250,000 a year on the, in addition to her salary.” Blagojevich responded “Yeah, see that’s what we’d want. That’s it.” Deputy Governor A told Blagojevich that Blagojevich should make clear during the negotiations for the Senate seat that being on other boards “would be another part of the game.” Blagojevich responded “That’s right.” […]

Blagojevich’s wife had trouble finding the salary information on-line. Blagojevich responded “Don’t worry about it. Yeah, that’s, you negotiate that. I’d like a 4-year contract for a million a year or somethin’. . . . Or 750 or whatever. It’d have to be good. Obama’s got excess money, he just gives them more money.” […]

Later on November 12, 2008, Blagojevich talked to Robert Blagojevich about filling the Senate seat. Regarding filling the Senate seat, Robert Blagojevich stated his advice was that Blagojevich “make sure it’s tit for tat, man you get something. I wouldn’t give anything away.”

But the tapes will clear him. Right.

* The clearest indication yet that Blagojevich is lying about his constant refrain that he really wanted to appoint Attorney General Lisa Madigan to the vacant Senate seat in order to cut a deal with Speaker Madigan on the capital bill and health care…

During the meeting, Labor Union Official advocated that Senate Candidate B be named to the Senate seat. In response, Blagojevich lied and informed Labor Union Official that Blagojevich was in “active” discussions with Individual L and her father about making Individual L the senator. […]

Blagojevich asked whether the Change to Win idea was better than trying to work out a deal to provide the Senate seat to Individual L. Advisor A indicated the Change to Win idea was better to help Blagojevich financially and his future politically. Blagojevich agreed. […]

Blagojevich stated that he was still leaning towards choosing Individual L for the Senate seat because it would help get things done for the people of Illinois, but complained “there’s nothing left there for me” regarding filling the Senate seat. Blagojevich noted “[Senate Candidate A] wants it badly and desperately and he’s the only one who’s willing to, like, offer stuff.”

Shortly thereafter, Blagojevich spoke to Deputy Governor A. Blagojevich told Deputy Governor A that he was trying to elevate Senate Candidate A with the Washington D.C. establishment to help with getting Individual L named senator, although Deputy Governor A believed that Blagojevich was lying to him. Blagojevich told Deputy Governor A he was not “gonna completely” rule out naming Senate Candidate A.

Approximately seven minutes later, Blagojevich spoke to Robert Blagojevich. Blagojevich told Robert Blagojevich that Blagojevich was elevating Senate Candidate A.

*** 4:02 pm *** Statement by Rod Blagojevich…

“There is nothing new. It’s the same old false allegations and lies. I’m looking forward to trial so the truth comes out and everyone will see that I am innocent.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 1:03 pm

Comments

Ruh-roh. Rob, it’s not too late to cooperate. The bus is boarding, good seats are still available.

I, for one, can’t wait to read this. I only hope some enterprising reporter reads the proffer to Donald Trump and gets his reaction. Joan Rivers’ too.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 1:08 pm
I’m with you 47. I haven’t hit the refresh button so many times since indictment day. Where’s the goods?!

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 1:15 pm
I’m now certain the Mr. Blagojevich will call Joan Rivers to the stand in his defense, since Sharon Osbourne failed to be seduced by his charms.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 1:19 pm
There’s also those people who mistook him for Donny Osmond. They were clearly in a swoon.

Comment by Anonymouse Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 1:23 pm
Let the games begin. This is going to be quite painful for democrats, as the trial approaches. Of course, we will hear lots of spin from the democratic faithful how Blogajevich is nuts. This after those same folks endorsed and voted for him twice.

Comment by Joe Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 1:34 pm
i agree it will be painful for democrats. hopefully, not too much (it’s not like corruption in illinois has a democratic face on it). but i neither endorsed, nor voted for, blagojevich twice…

Comment by bored now Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 1:48 pm
That Bear Stearns deal just won’t go away. It wasn’t the most razzle-dazzle bribe and money-laundering scheme of all time.. They could have just left breadcrumbs for the federales.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:03 pm
And Patti has not been indicted because…?

Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:14 pm
Just finished reading the thing….

Wow…

No wonder Rob doesn’t want the tapes played. You just wonder what else would have happened if the trib did not run the taping story

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:18 pm
The Democrats won’t be on trial - Blago will be.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:19 pm
Yeah and it was only George on trial, that’s how we ended up with Rod…

Also don’t forget in open court they will not be referring to these folks using Reservoir Dogs style names.

They will real names, likely Democrats and Rod will be using them as a human shield.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:21 pm
What is the liklihood that Mrs RB gets caught up in this? Is she getting a pass somehow? It appears as tho she is standing by her man but this kind of info points to some shady stuff on her part. We knew there was some of this out there but seeing it in print is troublesome. Ouch.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:25 pm
A state employee can cheat the state and abuse his/her time and maybe even kick back some of it to a crooked pol; but to really belly up to the trough, a contracted privatized state service is where you can get at the big bucks. Law firms, consultants, computer services, etc can be the real gravy boats. And as we keep getting rid of those pesky state employees we can expect a whole lot more privatized service contracts. YUM!

Comment by pyramid schemer Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:26 pm
Deep South,

You just keep on hoping. OneMan is right - it ain’t the facts, it’s the appearances. Bad guy in trouble takes down the whole party. See the wikipedia section on George Ryan. Read and cogitate.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:27 pm
1st person accounts of conversations/transactions + bank records corroborating transactions = CONVICTIONS.

This will be an ugly, ugly trial, but I am looking forward to Rod (and Patti) having the evidence shoved up his you know where. I had always heard from multiple sources that she was one of the big drivers of this. Should be interesting.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:30 pm
I think the trial will be quicker and shorter than many have estimated. I see very few holes for the defense to work through.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:31 pm
If you don’t think the dems are on trial you are nuts. This is an election year. Madigan endorsed him twice. If I am a state rep and my opponent gets MM endorsement I play that card all day long. Rezko has ties all the way to Obama.

The Republican platform is that the country is being killed by backroom deals and pay offs. That is what this trial is about and the people in this trial all have ties to people in the white house administration.

The trap for the RNC is that they have people involved to and need to hammer on their own even harder, not less.

Comment by the Patriod Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:33 pm
There is the Chewbacca defense

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewbacca_defense

perhaps their is some sort of Elvis variation…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:34 pm
Save this comment. Today is April 14th, 2010. I said this before and I will repeat: Rod Blagojevich will walk on these charges due to a hung jury. Rod’s taint the jury pool tour will work. Rod will have one and probably two nimRODS who will NOT convict. One or two jurors will not send the “people’s champion” to jail. Remember most people don’t vote and those that do elected him twice and recently wished to install Scott LEE Cohen. Life is funny this way.

Oh and remember cuddly George Ryan, he nearly walked because of a simpleton juror. Rod works the crowd better than ol’ sour puss George ever could.

Comment by jaded voter Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:43 pm
Don’t have to read very much of the proffer to see that the withholding of honest services charges WERE NOT a stretch.

Comment by Leave a Light on George Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:45 pm
Don’t think they had George on tape…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:48 pm
wow. i mean, wow…

Comment by bored now Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 2:55 pm
There was talk back when he was first charged that the government might not indict Patti because it might pull at the juror’s heart strings. With two young children in the picture and the prospect of both parents going to prison.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 3:02 pm
I think it has been stated before, but some of the “thoughts” surrounding Mrs. B are that she might be used as a bargaining chip by the feds to try and get Blago to plead out the case. Not gonna happen b/c I think he would throw the Pope under the bus to save himself. Just a thought though.

Comment by RJW Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 3:09 pm
Approved - that’s why I think Mrs Patti RB gets a pass - her children. Of the family, they are the innocent ones.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 3:13 pm
great point by “And I Approved This Message.”

but does anything prevent the govt. from going after patti separately, after they’ve convicted rod? she seems just as guilty, and was spawned by a machine insider, so its not like she arrived at the game a naive innocent.

Comment by Robert Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 3:14 pm
RJW - RB would throw his parents under the bus if he thought it would help. Rob should take a moment and collect himself, and then roll on his schmuck of a brother. Save yourself, Rob!

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 3:15 pm
Robert,

Patti’s family connections were the main reason I didn’t vote for RB the first time. The spreading of Chicago politics has gone from there to Washington DC and it all started in that congressional district.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 3:17 pm
The house has been on the federales radar for a long time. I know guys who did work for Rezmar there who got the early morning FBI visits three years ago.

There’s plenty of places to look in Patti’s activities when it comes to money. I suspect the feds are more worried about the court of public opinion. You’re going after the father, do you go after the mother, too?

I doubt anyone believes that you can leverage Rod with Patti. Rod will look out for himself first.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 3:46 pm
I understand where you’re coming from “DuPage” Dan, but Ryan wasn’t impeached with virtually everyone in his party throwing him under the bus. And Ryan, as has been pointed out in this thread, was perceived to be a cranky old Republican. Blago is perceived to be a goof ball who was “in it for himself.” I think voters in Illinois can tell the difference. Some of it will carry over, but in the end, it’ll be Brady’s extremism that loses the governor’s race this year, not Blago.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 3:55 pm
Rod, much like hips, tapes don’t lie

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 4:07 pm
Interesting how on one of the tapes he is saying how badly he wants out of the Governor’s office, but he goes around now saying how he was ripped from the people of Illinois before his term was up by these “lies”. I guess he wanted to abandon his constituents on his terms, not on the AGs.

Comment by Really?? Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 4:23 pm
You’re going after the father, do you go after the mother, too?

They did in Enron. And the Fed. Judge made sure she served time, too. They had small kids. Younger at sentencing time, I think, than Rod’s.

Comment by Pat collins Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 4:33 pm
“Upward trajectory”?

Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 4:40 pm
I’d feel bad for Rod having to read all of these comments and Miller’s scathing commentary but he doesn’t know how to get on here so he’ll never know.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 4:50 pm
Hey Conventional Wisdomers,

Rod will walk.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 4:54 pm
From your lips to God’s ear my friend.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 4:56 pm
that’s me talkin’, Rod B.walkin’

Comment by jaded voter Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 4:56 pm
Bill,

wish it were’nt so!

Comment by jaded voter Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 4:58 pm
The only place Rod is walkin’ too is prison.

Remember, these are just the tapes. We’ve got cooperating witnesses.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 5:01 pm
My favorite line from the proffer:

“Starting in approximately Summer 2008, Blagojevich talked to Harris about the fact that
Blagojevich was concerned about Blagojevich’s life after he was governor. Blagojevich expressed
concern that he was not very employable.”

“Not very employable.” You think? The surprising thing is I would never expect to see any evidence of self awareness on his part, but there it is.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 5:03 pm
“Rod will walk”.

Could happen. Did with OJ. But probably won’t. Probably he goes through the trial, then tries to bolt, then ends up in a mental institution. There’s no precedent I can think of in this type of situation. This is my best guess on the end result. And yes, his wife should be a defendant, and may be in the future. In the meantim, how many lifes have been ruined by this clown?

Comment by Park Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 7:35 pm
Does anyone else find the whole home improvement component of this scandal weird? Monk takes cash to remodel his home. Rod and Patti get cash to fix up their pad. Maybe the G should look into all the top Rod people from 2003 to 2009 and see if there’s a pattern of major home improvements taking place. I guess Imelda Marcos had shoes. Home remodeling just seems, well, obvious. If you’re the Governor or one of the Governor’s top guys don’t you think someone would ask questions if you pay major cash for home improvements?

Comment by GoodbyeClaude Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 7:53 pm
I agree this will hurt the Dems in November. As a Democrat I hate to say it but they did it to themselves. Backing Rod at reelection time was a bad idea. Now I know why I voted for Vallas.

Comment by illinois democrat Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 8:38 pm
Deep South,

Voters just don’t act that way - no matter how much you want it to be true. If things go bad during a politicians’/partys’ term they get voted out. simple. as. that.

Illinois is a special place, tho. Anything can happen. Why thinking adults would vote for someone like RB is a mystery. And you’all did it twice! And how did that work out for us?

You fools would vote for a yellow dog if he was a democrat.
(no offense intended, YDD)

Comment by DuPage Dan Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 9:34 pm
What’s inexplicable is that this crew of master criminals was concocting these schemes in the full knowledge that the Justice Department was all over them.

There’s barely any subterfuge in some of this stuff. Stupid, arrogant, or both? It’s just weird.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 10:21 pm
I’m looking forward to seeing what Blago considers lies!

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Apr 14, 10 @ 11:20 pm
Does anyone have a twenty on Rezko? He’s been on the milk carton for some time and has yet to be sentenced. Still singing pretty songs?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 8:56 am
The reason the Democratic Party has to be concerned is because of the extremely high “ick” factor being displayed.

Blagojevich’s corruption and his web of corrupt staffers will overwhelm voter’s ability to believe that the Impeached One was a loner bent on personal enrichment. The sheer size of this corruption cannot be contained upon the shoulders of Rob Blagojevich alone.

He was a governor, and voters instinctively know that governors do not act alone. As a result, there will be a feeling that the only way to get rid of this kind and level of corruption will be to throw out all Democratic incumbants, except for those they feel a personal level of attachment which can offset Blagojevich’s trial.

This will be brutal.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 9:10 am
That’s quite a “Money Tree” that Rod and Patti were growing there in Raveswood.

Comment by Suspicious Activity Report Thursday, Apr 15, 10 @ 10:23 am