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* Sheesh…
IRS Agent Shari Schindler just testified that Rod and Patti Blagojevich spent $400,000 in clothing expenses between 2002 and 2008. Of that, $207,000 was spent Oxxford Clothes, a luxury clothier that Rod fancied. Thousands more were spent at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Geneva Custom Shirts.
And he’s complaining about money troubles?
…Adding… Their clothing expense works out to roughly half of Blagojevich’s after-tax income as governor. You think this’ll stick in the jurors’ minds? Oh, yeah.
* That IRS agent also testified about a direct financial link between Tony Rezko and Patti Blagojevich…
With charts and graphs, she’s explaining a flow of money from Tony Rezko’s Rezmar Corp. to Patti Blagojevich’s firm, River Realty.
Prosecutors noted that nowhere on the Blagojevich family’s tax returns — which were publicly released while Rod was governor — is there any indication that Rezko money went to Patti.
The Blagojeviches’ income peaked in 2004 at $392,392. By 2008 — the year we hear recordings of Blagojevich angsting about his cash flow — it’s down to $226,795.
* More on the Blagojevich debt and Rezko…
By August of 2008, Schindler testified, the Blagojevich and his wife owed more than $90,000 in credit-card debt and were also $220,000 in the red on a home-equity loan. Several witnesses have testified that near the end of his term in office Blagojevich appeared to be obsessed with finding ways to make more money.
Schindler also explained charts she had prepared showing large flows of money ending up in the pockets of Blagojevich or his wife, Patti, from businesses associated with Rezko, a developer later convicted of corrupting state boards.
The money from Rezko began flowing to the Blagojeviches around the same time that a $600,000 loan connected to a state pension deal was made to a business associate of Rezko. The loan was extended by lobbyist Robert Kjellander, also a top official in the state Republican party who had just been paid more than $800,000 as his cut from brokering a deal to steer $10 billion in state underwriting business to Bear Stearns.
In another series of transactions explained by Schindler, Rezko’s development firm, Rezmar, was paid $40,000 in commissions on January 21, 2004, from a real estate deal. The next day, Rezmar wrote a check for the same amount to River Realty, a company owned by Patti Blagojevich. Then the following day, River Realty wrote another check to Patti Blagojevich for $40,000.
* Related…
* State ethics officer: Rod Blagojevich completed ethics training
* Judge says ‘honest services’ charges stick against Blagojevich
* Blago aide: ‘Ridiculous even by our standards’
* On tape, Blagojevich angry over no reward for seat
* FBI tapes: Blago frustrated by Obama’s lack of cooperation: “They all leave town and I’m stuck with gridlock . . . impeachment . . . and a f—— president who’s all talk and no give?” Blagojevich said.
* Today at the Blagojevich trial: Obama the ‘demigod’
* Crude Blago both riveting and revolting
* Who knew? Rod likes it when Patti talks blue
* Another aide admits being a yes man
* Scofield Regrets Not Challenging Blagojevich
* Blagojevich trial: Day 18 and recap
* Blagojevich trial tape transcripts, text version
* Blog-ojevich: Tweets and posts from the trial
* The prism
* Angry Blagojevich heard on tapes
* Witness Liked to Placate Blago
* Laying Down The Law
* News & Views
* Former Advisor Testifies In Blagojevich Trial
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:27 pm
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LOL, I’m not sure I spent $400 on clothes between 2002 and 2008. But that’s just me. I wouldn’t recommend it for others.
What was it Daley said? “Cuckoo.”
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:36 pm
I thought the Emperor had NO clothes?
Comment by Whatever Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:41 pm
Holy cow. Was she wearing sable underwear? (remembering the Jackie K. quote).
Comment by cassandra Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:42 pm
Wow!!! He’s scrambling around trying to make more money so he can pay his tailor. All this trouble for a few goods threads
Comment by Louis Howe Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:45 pm
Word, hehehe, $400.00 will keep me in work clothes purchased from Goodwill for about 20 years. So, no, that ain’t just you.
Look to the roots of corruption in the Ryan administration and in the Blagojevich administration to their striving toward living the high life — i.e. living well above their means. But, you know, one reason our economy is in such sad shape is that a lot of people were/are in the same freaking boat. And when it comes to retirement time, they won’t have a pot for urination.
Comment by Vole Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:46 pm
but average that out over the next 20 years of $0 for orange jump suites and it isn’t so much. No even then its still a lot!
Comment by Madame Defarge Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:46 pm
Here we go.
Rod also hired alot of those suit store employees.
Check out “suit salesmen” employees at DCEO and CMS. They had no prior government experience. They were merely sold suits. Now they are Senior Staff.
The $400k in suits is only part of the sad story. Rod paid that out of pocket (I guess). When you look at the salaries of these jokers - that involves taxpayer dollars. That is more important, right?
And by the way, those guys are still working for Quinn.
Comment by Da Ship Be Sinking Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:49 pm
Madame Defarge, you are becoming my favorite commenter. lol
In fact, you came up during drinks with several political staffers the other night. They all thought you were spot-on.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:53 pm
You’d a thunk Stu Levine could have told him about Imperial-it was next to the old Purple Hotel
Comment by not on the clout list Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:54 pm
Imperial is a bit too, um, “edgy” I suppose is the word, for RRB. Not that it’s edgy, but it’s too edgy for Rod.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 12:55 pm
Wow,
Any word on how much he spent on haircare?
That averages out to over $4,000 a month. Glad he was still able to understand the common folk when spending money like a drunken sailor
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:04 pm
Good God, he never looked that good. What did he spend on hair care??? At least we’re now starting to see some actual connection to real v. faux criminal conduct w/ money flowing. This “honest services” crap is like Grimm’s Stories.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:09 pm
–Their clothing expense works out to roughly half of Blagojevich’s after-tax income as governor–
LOL, this is so weird. I’m guessing there might have been some income off the books, how about you?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:11 pm
Since this basic post is about grooming, will there be a discussion of Patti’s new do. I find it very distracting and not as captivating as her in long hair.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:11 pm
No.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:14 pm
$400K for clothes? Hell, Blago shouldn’t go to prison for that… he deserves to be Sarah Palin’s running mate in 2012 on the Clotheshorse Party Ticket!
Comment by fedup dem Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:23 pm
RRB’s hair guy was on Oak, downtown. You do the math. It’s a long way removed from when he’d get his hair cut in the Senate Barbershop in DC…
It’s too bad, a lot of folks had respect for Doug-these transcripts are sad.
Comment by Nice Suit Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:28 pm
They used a home equity loan to buy CLOTHES? And he’s complaining on tape about not being able to pay for college for his kids. They bought CLOTHES? What is this the Philippines.
Comment by Way Way Down Here Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:46 pm
Spent $400 on a suit, $800 on a watch once, felt guilty for a long time about the watch.
Comment by Jim Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 1:57 pm
I wonder if Rod went Commando…
Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:08 pm
What’s Patti’s story ? Why would anyone want a man that was that obsessed with clothes and hair. It’s kinda creepy and feminine.
Comment by Windy City Mama Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:13 pm
Obviously, the Chicago Public Schools are to blame. If Milorad had only been given a basic course in Economics, none of these unfortunate misunderstandings would have occurred. In retrospect, passing up the taxpayer provided mansion in Springfield may have been a mistake since Blagojevich could have applied his housing payments to servicing his clothing debt.
These people are totally unbelievable and Patti seems to be as kooky as Rod. Dick Mell must have been a terrible parent to have raised a child who turned out to be so mixed up.
Comment by Honest Abe Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:14 pm
Patti, like Luralynn Ryan (Ex-Gov George’s wife), is dressing beyond her means. Blago is the peacock of the family, but Patti is no wall-flower at the dance.
What’s up with Blago law license? Why can’t he practice law? Lawyers pretty much charge whatever they want. Why couldn’t Blago envision a career lawyering? He’s a smooth enough lawyer. Over the weekend, the Illinois Channel on cable TV reran the “Impeachment” speech by Rod Blagojevich. I kept wondering if Blago knew how much was captured on tape. His extemporaneous speech to his fellow legislators, was poignant. He was pleading, PLEADING, to keep his job!
Comment by HatShopGirl Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:15 pm
I spent $1175 for a suit,3 shirts and 3 ties plus shoes and socks once boy did it hurt but I do love that suit.
Comment by fed up Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:15 pm
Trending now: Blagojevich Gucci loafers
Comment by Way Way Down Here Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:16 pm
“Was she wearing sable underwear?”
I find it curious that while the Blagos apparently fancied themselves (or at least he did) as another JFK and Jackie, with the Kennedys, it was the First Lady who was notorious for spending on fancy clothes, but in this case, it was apparently the man of the house who overspent… I don’t think anyone’s ever accused Patti or the girls of being fashionistas, have they?
Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:17 pm
Gee here is a shocker!
The man can’t balance his home budget.
He can’t balance the State’s budget.
Shocking!
Comment by BIG R.PH. Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:21 pm
with the Kennedys, it was the First Lady who was notorious for spending on fancy clothes,
But she was from serious money, married to more money.
Just totally amazing. What WAS he thinking??
Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:24 pm
I bet JBT wishes she had known about this four years ago
Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:27 pm
in re Blago From Fake Speaker Madigan @SpeakerMadigan Had Rod sought my counsel, I would have passed along advice given me by Art Berman: “Only schmucks pay retail”
Now that his greed/laziness is established, does Rod understand his best hope is jurors decide he’s a moron? I like his chances.
Comment by I'm Just Saying Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 2:41 pm
I’ve heard a lobbyist recall his first time lobbying Rod in the General Assembly, almost 20 years ago. Rod made clear he could help on the bill in question - in return for a couple free suits.
Comment by No name, thanks Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:07 pm
Lookling back to 2002, we can really thank the IFT and IEA and the other public sector unions for this sad turn of events- their refusal to consider endorsing Paul Vallas who would have been a real reformer because he was the Chicago School supintendent allowed Blago to capture the nomination- just think how different things would be had Vallas become Governor both in terms of the fiscal situation and the State’s reputation- I sincerely hope the public sector unions who backed Blago think they got their money’s worth now that his performance while in office has led to the layoff of tens of thousands of public sector employees
Comment by Sue Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:24 pm
Cassandra, I am so impressed that you remember the Jackie Kennedy sable underwear quote. Wow.
Comment by soccermom Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:25 pm
“In retrospect, passing up the taxpayer provided mansion in Springfield may have been a mistake since Blagojevich could have applied his housing payments to servicing his clothing debt.”
But that could have been another reason he didn’t want to move to Springpatch… not enough high end clothing stores
Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 3:30 pm
It is clear that gov B felt he deserved all the high end finery .
I guess it was a way to distinguish himself from us, the little people.
Comment by Plutocrat03 Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 4:10 pm
Unless Patti ends up getting indicted too, at least she may get the chance to actually get use out her nice quality clothes over the next decade or so. Her well dressed spouse, not so much.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 4:13 pm
According to the Sun-Times he spent $664 on TIES at Saks. I guess if you’re going to hang yourself, you should do it in style.
(Side note: apparently on his way out of court today, the usually quiet Robert Blagojevich, told reporters that he buys his ties on sale.)
Comment by Really?? Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 4:22 pm
Ducking for cover…
I do not find a politician or other high-profile individual spending $1500 for a suit outrageous.
That said, Rod’s extravagance is over the top. He deserves to go broke.
Comment by Cincinnatus Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 4:57 pm
RRB taking the adage “clothes make the man” to the EXTREME!
Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 5:52 pm
Kind of makes Sarah Palin look like a piker.
And yes, I think Doug and some of the other enablers look REALLLLLY bad. With maybe one exception, none of these guys said, “Governor, this just isn’t the right way to think about this. You’re making an important appointment and should think about it that way.” It’s just pathetic.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 6:36 pm
Good Old Rod was the ” Great Reformer”
a College Graduate
and could not manage his Finances $$$$
How Stupid are these People
and especially the Ones
Who Voted for him Twice
And Now continue to BLAME
Someone Else for their Problems
Does this Remind you of a Typical
Liberal ????
Wake up voters
Current Administration is STILL
SMOKE AND MIRRORS !!!!
Vote them out and their Political HACKS
NOVEMBER 2010 !!!!
Comment by grategul Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 7:08 pm
Amen Chicago Cynic. The way Scofield pandered and placated is embarrassing. If this is how you serve a client, then the consulting field is in trouble.
Comment by Zora Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 7:25 pm
I seem to recall Edgar’s first or second job was selling suits…
I don’t think Quinn owns more than four, and he buys his ties at Sears…
Judy was famous for making value clothing purchases at thrift stores….and she considered it a badge of honor…
Rod’s preoccupation with the external trappings is very telling: everything he did in state “service” was about appearances, and never about the hard work to actually *earn* something. Press conferences and ads galore about doing good things for people, reform and renewal, etc etc etc. You can put on the most expensive suit you like, Rod, but you’re still you, still empty inside.
Comment by Gregor Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 7:45 pm
What I want to know is where the heck he was wearing these pricey suits? We know he didn’t need them to for work since he didn’t even bother going most days.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 10:19 pm
“Ju know, when ju rook good, you FEEL good, and RRRRod;
Ju rook Marvelous! Ab-so-RUTE-ly Marrvellous!”
-Billy Kristol as “Fernando”, SNL
Comment by Fernando Llama Thursday, Jul 1, 10 @ 10:51 pm