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* Yet another charge that is gonna send Rod Blagojevich to prison. Lying to FBI agents. From this morning’s testimony by FBI supervising agent Patrick Murphy…
During that 2005 [FBI] interview, held in the offices of Winston & Strawn, Blagojevich said he maintained a separation between politics and fund-raising.
“He said he did not track who was contributing to him or how much they were contributing,” Murphy said. “This was a decision he made when he became governor,” he said Blagojevich told him.
Murphy, who is lauded as the investigative architect of the case, is testifying to the false statement charges in the indictment. Blago is charged with lying to the FBI about material matters in the investigation.
The surveillance tapes clearly show those statements to be outright lies. I’m not a huge fan of that “lying to a federal agent” law, but these are clear violations.
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column takes a look back…
During the long, excruciating overtime state legislative session of 2007, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan complained that Gov. Rod Blagojevich had a habit of diverting high-level discussions away from the budget and toward Madigan’s ties.
Madigan, it should be said, does wear some eye-catching ties. He takes no credit for his taste in clothing, however. His wife, he says, picks his ties out for him.
Speaker Madigan confided to me one day back then that whenever Blagojevich would compliment Madigan on his choice of ties, he would always complain that, as governor, he couldn’t afford such fashion gems. Madigan has a lucrative law practice which brings in a pretty penny. Blagojevich couldn’t do side jobs as governor, he would repeatedly explain to Madigan and everyone else in the room, so he couldn’t afford to dress like Madigan.
The House Speaker seemed quite frustrated at the time with Blagojevich’s fixation on his fetching ties, rather than on dealing with the budget deadlock and general political gridlock. After all, it wasn’t like Blagojevich dressed poorly. He always wore sharp clothes. He even showed up at the State Fair once dressed in designer blue jeans.
Thanks to his federal corruption trial, we now know that it was taste, not money, which caused Blagojevich to wax envious whenever he saw Madigan wearing a pretty tie.
According to testimony by an IRS agent last week, the former governor and his wife spent a mind-boggling $400,000 on clothes between 2002 and 2008.
Just for a little context, Blagojevich spent about half of his after-tax income as governor on clothes. Not to mention that the man usually worked out of his house or down the street at his campaign office.
All told, Blagojevich spent $206,000 at a single men’s store - the Tom James Company, a custom clothing maker. He spent another $31,000 at Geneva Custom Shirts. Blagojevich and his wife shelled out $57,000 to Saks Fifth Ave. and $29,000 to Neiman Marcus.
By August 2008, the Blagojeviches had run up over $90,000 in credit card debt - more than half of the governor’s gross annual salary. Their total “consumer debt” by the morning of Blagojevich’s arrest was more than $210,000.
Last week’s trial included the playing of a surveillance recording from November 2008 of Blagojevich bitterly complaining about how his wife’s real estate business was all but dead. Reporters had dug through Mrs. Blagojevich’s client list in an attempt to show she often did no work for the money she made off of connected insiders. During that process, reporters called several of her former clients, and that, combined with the negative publicity and Mrs. Blagojevich’s real fear of a federal indictment led to her company’s collapse.
A minute or two later, Blagojevich whined about an upcoming financial burden.
“Amy is going to college in six years and we can’t afford it. I can’t afford college for my daughter,” Blagojevich exclaimed.
During the six days after he complained about his dire financial situation, Blagojevich plunked down $858 for four ties at Saks.
Apparently, the man couldn’t help himself. It goes without saying that $400,000 would’ve paid for a whole lot of college tuition for both of his kids.
It also goes without saying that prosecutors have established a very strong financial motive for several of Blagojevich’s alleged crimes.
Financially, he was in way over his head. The very real possibility of impeachment, which he constantly fretted about on the tapes, would dry up his future earning prospects. His wife’s career was in ruins. He was at the end of the line. There would be no more designer ties, handmade shirts and custom suits he so clearly loved. When Barack Obama won the president’s race and his U.S. Senate seat suddenly became vacant, Blagojevich pounced on the opportunity as his ticket out of debt and back to the high life.
It won’t be difficult for Blagojevich’s jurors to make this connection. They’ve seen the fancy clothes he’s worn during the trial. None of them are millionaires who could afford such nonsense, so this is a devastating attack by the prosecution.
I hope Blagojevich doesn’t mind wearing orange, because a federal jumpsuit is most probably in his future.
* Related…
* ‘How’s the suit?’ Blago asks as trial resumes
* The FBI agent who ran wiretaps on Blagojevich: “He was in his running suit. He was stretching, running in place, animated. I couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t sit still,” Cullen said. “He kept combing back his hair. It was almost like he’s awaiting going on camera. But we were just here [in the FBI office] — no one was going to see him.”
* Blagojevich trial: Day 19 and last week’s recap
* Rod Blagojevich’s shopping spree; trapped by governor job
* Blago’s Wardrobe malfunction
* Blowback bites: Who’s shuffling now?
* Let record show: Blago an equal-opportunity disparager
* Better to be hated by a pol than loved
* We elected Blago –what were we thinking?
* The FBI agent who ran wiretaps on Blagojevich
* Oh, the agony of Rod
* Psychologists: Blagojevich trial reveals narcissism
* Day off in Blagojevich corruption trial
* Blagojevich corruption trial resumes
* Appellate court wants hearing in Blago juror names
* Rezko Employee: Patti did no Work
* Testimony Boring for Blago’s Brother Robert
* Blagojevich Trial Moving Quickly
* Trial shows possibilities of technology
* Mike Lawrence: Blagojevich trial holds lessons for leaders — and us
* Blagojevich corruption trial resumes after holiday weekend
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 12:07 pm
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Rich, you said,
“Yet another charge that is gonna send Rod Blagojevich to prison. Lying to FBI agents. From this morning’s testimony by FBI supervising agent Patrick Murphy…
During that 2005 [FBI] interview, held in the offices of Winston & Strawn, Blagojevich said he maintained a separation between politics and fund-raising.
“He said he did not track who was contributing to him or how much they were contributing,” Murphy said. “This was a decision he made when he became governor,” he said Blagojevich told him.
Murphy, who is lauded as the investigative architect of the case, is testifying to the false statement charges in the indictment. Blago is charged with lying to the FBI about material matters in the investigation.
The surveillance tapes clearly show those statements to be outright lies. I’m not a huge fan of that “lying to a federal agent” law, but these are clear violations.”
Not defending Roddy, but if the interview took place in 2005, and they have tapes from 2007 ff, the timeline does not show lying. The tapes do show the propensity of Rod to link money and influence, though. If Rod was caught in some outright lie, I would expect a perjury charge would be among the 24 counts already filed against Roddy.
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 12:14 pm
He reminds me of the wall street bankers who were complaining earlier this year that federal restriction on their pay of 500k would make them “middle class” in nyc and unable to pay for the basic necessities like tuition at trinity and chapin and their bmw’s. If memory serves their family income was at worst 230k which yes, not much compared to the ceo’s a governor probably deals with on a day to day basis, but more than most of his constituents.
Comment by shore Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 12:15 pm
===If Rod was caught in some outright lie, I would expect a perjury charge would be among the 24 counts already filed against Roddy===
You need to read a bit closer. The charges include lying to an FBI agent.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 12:21 pm
Rich, Now that we’re a few weeks into the trial, I would love to see a QOTD: “Is Robert Blagojevich guilty? Explain your answer.”
I’d like to see the question repeated as the trial nears and end. I have a gut feeling Robert is innocent…
Comment by Cincinnatus Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 12:23 pm
the readers of this blog accurately diagnosed Blagos mental state years ago…the question is will this be a factor in whether or not the jury convicts…was RB mentally ill and unable to govern?…I wouldn’t put it past Adams to argue this point, but hopefully the jury won’t be buying it…
Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 12:27 pm
Going to change from an Oxxford suit to an Oxford C.C. Suit”.
Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 12:29 pm
So, we’ve been wrong about that kitty comment - it was:
“Look! A Tie!”
If I was Speaker I would have found Blagojevich’s tie comments annoying to the point where I would have turned down the opportunity to be his re-election co-chair. You see, I would have wondered why a governor would be so addled and stupid as to perseverate on my neckwear, but that’s just me. The Speaker must have brilliant reasons beyond our comprehension to have supported Rod Blagojevich in 2006, because I just can’t comprehend how the Speaker could tolerate such obviously bizarre behavior from one of our state’s leaders, yet support his campaigns.
But that’s just me.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 12:40 pm
Think about it. Rod and Patti are spending $400,000 on clothes. While telling everyone the reason they never moved to the mansion in Springfield was: They wanted to keep their children grounded ? This just shows both to be total jerks.
Comment by Windy City Mama Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 12:48 pm
Then today when he shows up at court he smiles and asks reporters “how’s the suit”, refering to his own suit. This guy is so smug and arrogant, prison is too good for him.
Comment by Stooges Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 1:04 pm
Didn’t Adam basically say “show me the money” in his opening statement? He inferred that Rod wasn’t guilty because he was broke.
Well, I think this revelation blows a pretty big hole in Adam’s argument.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 1:14 pm
Let me see…..we’re dealing with Patti Blago who appears to have gotten her etiquette training aboard a pirate ship, and her fine specimen of a husband, Rod “Rebel Without a Clue” Blago who thought he could hide his lack of intelligence beneath a suit and tie.
In both cases, it simply goes to show that you cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Perhaps they will each have the opportunity to learn a trade in prison, say tailoring?
Comment by Justice Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 1:18 pm
Just a reminder…Adams got R. Kelly off!!!!! I know that Adams is playing on different turf, but he is swimming in the same jury pool! Alas, way to early…conjecture continues. How ’bout Lebron to the Bulls?!
Comment by GetOverIt Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 1:28 pm
@Cincinnatus
Pretty interesting question. From what I can tell, he’s probably technically guilty of a few things, but he’s very sympathetic. Just like Harris, Scofield, and many others, he seemed to be placating his insane brother rather than really trying to plan a conspiracy. He probably could have gotten a nice deal from the prosecution, but I wouldn’t expect him to do that to his family.
On a different tangential note: They’ve been focusing a lot on Patti-Rezko connections the last couple days, but I don’t see anything that ties it directly back to Rod. He’s clearly guilty of plenty else so far, but I’m not sure where they’re going with this. Anyone have any thoughts?
Comment by Sacks Romana Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 1:29 pm
=== but he is swimming in the same jury pool! ===
No, he’s not.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 1:34 pm
Sacks they are painting a picture of Patty. Then after she testifies the feds will likely have the basis for a perjury charge.
Comment by Leave a Light on George Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 1:41 pm
Fabric for correctional industries to make inmate shirts is contract at $1.45 a linear yard. I hope he chafes.
Comment by The KQ Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 1:50 pm
@Light on George
Is the prosecution planning on calling her to testify? She would be an incredibly hostile witness, and would likely yield little new criminal information on Rod while garnerning jury sympathy. I doubt the defense would risk putting her on the stand either.
She’s probably guilty of something that went down with Rezko, but it seems like the prosecution isn’t interested in indicting her specifically because it would garner sympathy and take both parents away from their kids if they were convicted.
So my question is why it’s relevant to Blagojevich’s crimes if his wife was engaged in shady deals with Rezko. So far I haven’t seen a connection presented, but there must be one because the defense isn’t objecting and the judge is allowing it.
Comment by Sacks Romana Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:04 pm
With respect to the lying to the G charge, Kelly Glynn testified today that Blago was present at some 2004 fundraising meetings and would ask about amounts donated by certain individuals. That should cover at least one guilty finding.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:06 pm
===So far I haven’t seen a connection presented===
Read the column. He was broke. That’s your connection.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:10 pm
Vanilla Man. Can you come up with a grand unified theory connecting “Hey look! A Kitty/Tie” with the Chewbacca Defense? (Extra points for iambic pentameter.)
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:16 pm
@ Sacks
Patty through Rod’s lawyers has vowed to testify for the defense.
Comment by Leave a Light on George Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:35 pm
Still, if I’m a juror, I’m curious as to why Patti isn’t charged and why that nice man Rezko isn’t here.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:42 pm
>I’m not a huge fan of that “lying to a federal agent” law
Why? You think it’s okay to obstruct justice?
Comment by Segatari Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:54 pm
Yeah, Segatari, I’m all for obstructing justice.
Don’t be a dingbat.
I’m not a big fan of it because I think it can be misused, particularly when there is no audio recording of the interviews, which happens far too much.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:57 pm
This is a very sad story. The evidence of Patti Blagojevich is enough to bring an indictment if the prosecutors choose after this trial. Anyway, I hope everything feels sadness for the Blagojevich children: they didn’t ask for any of this.
Comment by Steve Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:57 pm
word,
we don’t want to get too worried now do we? I want Rich to be right. I want RB to be toast. Just keep repeating the mantra, “RB go bye-bye, RB go bye bye”. He’s toast.
Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:58 pm
How could this man be a governor
That is so unloved by politicians?
Yet be so loved by the working man,
that he so defends against the world?
How could this man be elected?
Be elected to serve out these terms?
Yet be so boldly incompetent as he?
None of our history really makes sense,
try as you might, it simply cannot be.
So, understand this, try as you might
Rod was looking for that commonality
which binds us together as men and women.
Neckware, proudly worn, proudly boasting
Neckware of a kitty, a kitty in the city.
No one who can know of this man
Can believe of intentional crimes
Can believe he can intentionally criminal
So, I stand here today as his friend
And demand that jurors open their eyes
Recognizing the grand conspiracy before them
That is Speaker Michael J. Madigan!
Madigan daily eats a red apple
Why must he always eat that apple?
It is because he knows more than you
Acquit this incompetent Governor Rod
Do not force upon him your orange jumpsuit!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 2:58 pm
Is VM channeling Bukowski?
Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 3:09 pm
Love it V-Man. “Neckware of a kitty, a kitty in the city” is now stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Reads like a rap song riff.
Comment by Zora Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 3:43 pm
Sacks, the connection is that Patty is taking money for the benefit of Rod since Rezko can’t give it directly to him. She’s a patsy at best, an unindicted co-conspirator at worst. The Feds didn’t charge her in part because it would bring up the cruelty of taking away both parents from small children.
Comment by Berkeley Bear Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 4:32 pm
Berkeley Bear, I almost think the cruelest thing to do to those kids is allowing Rod or Patti to stay behind to raise them. Those kids would probably be better off living with other relatives than those two morally bankrupt narcissists.
Comment by Anonymous ZZZ Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 4:37 pm
He’s only a mope after elections, which apparently make him feel depressed. The rest of the time, he’s a corrupt schemer. This trial is not about his moods.
Comment by Zora Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 5:22 pm
Oh, the comment I was commenting on disappeared. Nevermind….
Comment by Zora Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 5:26 pm
–She’s a patsy at best, an unindicted co-conspirator at worst–
Dude, if you think Patti is a patsy, all I can say is I would love to sell you my father’s antique watch.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 5:43 pm
Blago could have invested in College Illinois for both his daughters for far less than his credit card debt. But I guess the ties and fur coats were more important.
Comment by really?? Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 7:06 pm
funny about Madigan and the ties, given the symbolism of a male tie. @ your link about Mueller being surprised at Blago’s f bomb? Guess he never heard about Cheney using it on the Senate floor, and since it was directed at an individual, it was far more eggregious. Also at that link: Blago can’t keep still after his arrest, running in place, stretching, combing his hair, sounds manic to me, as do the blow-out shopping trips. How many pairs of white leather gloves did Mary Todd own? Geesh — my brother-in-law kept his no-work wife on the payroll of his manufacturing company; think the DOJ rather than the IRS would come after him/her? Yes, I understand the Rezko conduit theory, now I need that tied up with Rezko taking kick-back money with the help/blessing of Blago, and the agreement that some of it would flow back to Rod. Show me the personal slush fund, the bank, and the deposits from contractors. As we all know, Rezko can be just a “nice” guy and help out his friends with things like buying a lot, a special deal on a condo, etc.
Comment by justsickofit Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 8:16 pm
“Murphy testified that Blagojevich said aides would apprise him of the overall success of a fundraiser but would leave him in the dark as to the specifics.”..“We would be going through a list of people who had made commitments or not made commitments,” Glynn said. There were so-called “repeat offenders” who had made commitments and not come through with donations or who the governor thought should be contributing more.” I actually find this testimony somewhat consistent. Fundraising is done by goal setting, and then trying to hold those who agreed to the goal, accountable. I remember Paul Simon required a 1500 dollar “take” to come to a fundraiser in my downstate area (according to a friend who threw one). I am sure he did not look at every check/contributor; the commitment was from the one throwing the event, and it was expected to be met. You know those cute names that Presidential candidates give their big bundlers? Pioneer club and such. They, or the team, track how the commitments are going, while not looking at every bundled check. As I recall Alexi is on record for making a big fundraising pledge to Obama’s Presidential bid. No audio? Same words as Blago used in public? Maybe it is the old hippie in me, but I am more afraid of the government than I am of a wannabe somebody.
Comment by justsickofit Tuesday, Jul 6, 10 @ 8:49 pm