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Blagojevich bond set at $450K

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Illinois
Blagojevich Trial

* A friend of mine told me the other day that Rod and Patti Blagojevich were actively looking for a Chicago condo. Turns out, she was right. They have their house up for sale, but I’m not sure how they can sell it when it’s being used as collateral for Rod’s bond…

A federal judge today set bond at $450,000 for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and ordered him to post his North Side house and Washington condo as collateral despite the defense declaring that the Chicago residence is up for sale.

* Prosecutors had asked for a million dollar bond. No luck…

“I understand the symbolism of a million dollars, but $450,000 is enough,” Zagel said.

The former governor and his wife said they had about $600,000 in equity in the two properties.

* More…

U.S. District Judge James Zagel then called Blagojevich and his wife Patti before him to issue the standard warning that they could lose both properties if the former governor violated bond conditions.

“I have no intention of violating the bond,” Blagojevich said.

Just like he had no intention of violating his oath of office?

* Prosecutors claimed earlier this week that they hadn’t received all the necessary paperwork on the two properties, but that’s supposedly all settled. Also, the judge barred Blagojevich’s attorneys from talking with the jurors for now.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 1:48 pm

Comments

If he ran he would have to cut his hair, no way he runs.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 2:04 pm
I’ve got these two properties, one in Chicago and one in Washington, and they’re bleeping golden…..

Comment by Hunterdon Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 2:05 pm
=== Just like he had no intention of violating his oath of office? ===

Yep, just like that!

Comment by Kerfuffle Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 2:14 pm
Why bar Blagojevich attorneys from speaking to the jury members? Everyone else talked to them after the trial.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 2:15 pm
Yeah, I can see RB now - on the run, looking for the one armed man. Would make for a great TV show. Harrison Ford would have to do alot to his hair to get the part, tho.

Comment by dupage dan Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 2:41 pm
@ Louis,

I imagine it has something to do with an appeal based on how the jury was instructed etc. I’m not a lawyer, but I know one who slept in an holiday inn express once.

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 2:56 pm
Does Serbia extradite

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 3:10 pm
THE bond was fair, what good does piling on do.

Comment by mokenavince Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 3:34 pm
Who would want to buy a house that is being held as collateral for a federal bail? Just getting a clear title would be a nightmare?

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 3:35 pm
If they have $600k in collateral, why haven’t they refinanced the properties to fund the most recent defense? Why did blago get to use a public defender if he has $600k in real estate equity?

Comment by Huh? Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 3:40 pm
You reap what you sew!
Time to pay the piper, too.

Comment by Damfunny Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 4:38 pm
We will be paying for Blago’s malfeasance for years and years.

Comment by Emil Friday, Jul 15, 11 @ 7:55 pm