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Lost in the shuffle

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Illinois

* This story received absolutely no play anywhere, but I’ve been hearing the same thing for weeks. Apparently, putting something in the Sunday Sun-Times is akin to burying it…

Federal authorities are investigating whether Gov. Blagojevich’s former lead adviser on gaming policy properly disclosed personal gambling winnings and losses to the tax man, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times. […]

His lawyer, Michael Monico, said Kelly has done nothing improper.

“We have no control over what the government is going to do in this matter, but two things we do know: Mr. Kelly has paid millions of dollars in taxes, and, second, at the end of the day, the evidence will show that Mr. Kelly has no taxes due and owing,” Monico said. […]

Before his 2003 appointment by Blagojevich, Kelly wagered hundreds of thousands of dollars at Illinois casinos run by people he later dealt with on the state’s behalf. It was not clear if the wagering that has drawn federal interest took place in Illinois casinos, Las Vegas or some other gambling venue.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 12:21 pm

Comments

What is the story here? Stupid and pathetic. I figured the Sun Times would more prominantly feature the story of Conrad BZlack, the former owner of the rag, going to prison.

Now there’s a story!

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 12:25 pm
Once again buried within, another situation that appears improper - somthing the Governors ethics people say is to be avoided. The story to me is not the tax issue, its that the guy invovled in gambling for the State may be doing business with, i.e. gambling, with the various buisness seeking access and a voice in government. This looks bad. The connection is worthy of further review by the press, not on the tax angle, but on what this guy was getting from local gaming establishments, and what he was saying on their behalf.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 12:38 pm
The issues this story raises are very disturbing and potentially very damaging to Kelly and the Admin. That being said, I would rather see the Feds tell the story only after they actually file charges. It seems to me that we see the feds over reaching in the press in this manner far too often. It is not professional nor responsible. Charge him or shut up! And I am NO fan of Kelly nor the Admin.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 12:42 pm
This is yet another example of how an appearance of impropriety arises.

If one is a regular gambler, there are many perks that are awarded, such as comp’ed drinks, meals entertainment and/or housing.

The problem from an oversight viewpoint is how to discriminate between perks which are normally offered to players which would be proper and those offered to a governmental official with connections to the Governor’s office which would be improper.

Looks like another PR mess for the teflon governor.

Comment by plutocrat03 Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:07 pm
It’s absolutely professional and responsible - if the ultimate goal is to take down Official A. They’re trying to give the guy an incentive to be cooperative. Putting this out there for all the friends and family to see, just as we roll into the holiday season, is a part of that strategy. It might almost be Christmas, but the feds aren’t doing this for their own jollies. It’s how the game is played.

Comment by Willie Stark Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:12 pm
Does it make any difference what city/state he gambled in?

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:21 pm
- Willie Stark -
Justice is NO game. And the Feds are acting unprofessional And Irresponsible. This should not be the way “things are done”. Such publicity mongering is gross intimidation and coercion. And with the funding and virtually unlimited power of the federal judiciary behind them it is a massive abuse of power. I for one am not proud of this action but rather ashamed of them and very disappointed. They should be officially reprimanded and severely sanctioned. Our system of justice should be above reproach, not some parlor trick.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:23 pm
The U S Attorney’s office is one of the biggest “leakers” in this State. That being said, this is how they operate, firing a shot across Mr. Kelly’s bow. Just to remind him “they ARE coming and don’t enjoy your Holiday too much”. Just like the story about Mrs. G Rod, a little warning that things are going to heat up brother. This is just the beginning folks.

Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:29 pm
Willy Stark is correct. The squeeze is on. The circle is closing. The only witnesses to malfeasance are the members of the inner circle.

A Citizen would not object if a small hoodlum were given such a squeeze to bring an uberboss in, who would then be squoze for the next higher person in the chain. No different.

This was the reason for the Scooterthon, and if Bush hadn’t commuted the sentence, Libby’s tomatoes would have spilled the juice on the next guy upstream.

Comment by Truthful James Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:31 pm
leakers, firing shots across the bow, warnings that they are coming? What the heck have they become? The MOB ?

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:32 pm
I wonder if when Fitz and Collins and their underlings go home at night if they tell their families that in another ten years they will be legitimate?

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:40 pm
-Citizen-

Your view is a good one for the textbook explanation of how the criminal justice system should work. I’m sympathetic to the weak and powerless who find themselves on the wrong end of the federal government. I’m not shedding any tears for Blago, Rezko and Kelly. They like to play hardball, talk about their testicular virility, and dish it out to others. Now they’re getting a taste of it themselves. Make the distiction and save the sympathy for the people who really need it. Also, abuse of power is what the Bush admin has been getting away with for the last 7 years. Your claims about the feds use of unlimited resources in regards to these Illinois cases is way, way overstated.

Comment by Willie Stark Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:47 pm
- Willie Stark -
And how do you rectify the conflict with the concept of “Equal justice under the Law” and “Equal protection under the Law”? My view of this modus operandi is correct as you admitted or acknowledged, if you prefer. And it should be the practice!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:53 pm
Dang those feds, disclsoing targets of investigations. A Citizen is right, all federal investiations should be conducted in the utmost secrecy, without anyone knowing ever knowing what the federal government is upto! After all, what buisness is it of the public to know how the feds are using their enforcement powers. Secrecycy and Hidden government for all!!! Down with information!!!

We need some kind of cencorship law that prohibits reporting on government activities…dang those feds and their pesky release of information to the public. We need a good old secret government.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 1:58 pm
- Ghost -
Great post ghost - That was funny!

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 2:00 pm
As far as “Playing Hardball” is concerned - It is an artform, not a clumsy methodology for federal goons to clobber people. To wit, Blago and his cronies, Madagin, Emil J, and the list goes on. The Feds can “play the game” with better precision and less collateral damage and BE professional and responsible and still obtain the desired results.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 2:12 pm
Willie Stark, It is an easy walk from prejudicial leaks to waterboarding. Our country was established to be something better than just a winner. If all you are left with is the wishy washy “that is the way the big rough boys play” then the only difference between cop and crook is personality & The US Atty for N. Illinois does not have one.

Comment by just askin' Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 2:37 pm
Some of you are jumping to conclusions here that may or may not be valid.

Often, these “leaks” come from private attorneys involved in the cases, or even from grand jury members. Keep that in mind.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 2:38 pm
Anon asks, “What is the story here?”, as though any normal person would read that Blagojevich’s point man on gaming in Illinois is a high roller and think there is no problem with the Governor’s selection.

Blagojevich is quoted as saying that Kelly “knows the industry”, as a suitable reason to select him as his point man.

But Kelly knows gaming the way an 800 pound guy knows an all-you-can-eat buffet. There needs to be a healthy balance between your point guy on a vital issue like gaming, and the relationship that person has within an industry. There is a conflict of interest when your point guy risks hundreds of thousands of dollars as a sick thrill. Being a gambler doesn’t qualify you as a gaming expert. It qualifies you for a family intervention.

What’s the story?

It appears that our governor doesn’t have a problem with being buddies with high rollers. He seems to find himself surrounded by guys whom your mother wouldn’t want you to even know. If your attitude towards our elected officials is so cynical that you are comfortable watching these kinds of people hobknobbing with free access to your wallet, you are being willfully blind as well as stupid.

We cannot continue pretending that these things do not matter and then feign shock when it becomes embarrassingly clear that they obviously do. There comes a point where we have to demand better, and I though we reached that point when George Ryan was abandoned, and we reached for relief through the 2002 election.

Obviously not.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 2:40 pm
All I know is I am sure glad the Sun Times isn’t writing stories about the last time I wagered hundreds of thousands of dollars at a casino…oh wait make that hundreds of dollars…ok, ok, it was a hundred dollars, but I am still glad they’re not hounding me about it!

Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 2:49 pm
As a matter of fact, face to face, Kelly seems like a pretty nice guy. I’ve been trying to think of analogies to what we have here; what about, using a pro baseball player as your adviser on the new minor league stadium and team in Marion? Hiring an attorney as your adviser on legal matters? Using a doctor as your adviser on physician conduct?

If he paid his taxes, unless there is something we’re not being told, there’s no story here but the old “appearance of impropriety” banality, and that is always in the eye of the beholder, something the “”accused” (of what?) can’t control.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 3:28 pm
Steve, re-read the first sentence of the CS-T piece again.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 3:30 pm
Steve, your analogy is off, to put it more accurately, would you hire a pro baseball player who currently play for the cubs to both serve as your policy adivosr on professional baseball salaries, while he is also invovled in raising money for your campaign?

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 3:36 pm
- Rich Miller -
Your point is well taken. I do believe that my perception of the Feds over reaching is just as frequent if not more cynically practiced as the other actors you mention. It is a dirty business and we should expect polished marble and brass of our “Justice” servants.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 3:37 pm
Rich, I said if he paid his taxes…if someone doesn’t disclose income they haven’t paid the taxes they owe.

Ghost, are you saying he shook down the casinos? If so, that’s quite a charge.

Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 3:43 pm
Steve…we all know nice guys. Larry Warner was a nice guy. Our pal Mickey Seigal was a nice guy…nice guys can get themselves jammed up

Now we see why evil Madigan wants to overhaul my gambling advisory panel
Geez

Comment by DumberThanYouThink Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 4:44 pm
The story here is the type of people our Governor surrounds himself with. Everyone who knows Chris Kelly is aware he has a gambling problem. He is an addict. Just because he hasn’t lost his house and hit bottom makes him no less an addict. Just look at the type of money he plays with. That’s not normal.
You would not put an alcoholic in charge of your Liquor Commission or a heroin addict your Drug Czar.
What is in this Governor’s head ? Sounds like nothing.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 5:04 pm
Rich is right that there could have been many sources for the leak but the chances are 99% that it was the feds trying to pressure Kelly. Sure, many people think that Blago should go to Club Fed and working “up the ladder” is one way to try to get him. However, is justice different for Kelly because he is a crony of Blago’s? If they can do this to Kelly, they can do it to you, me or any of us. All they need is the desire and the unwillingness of good people to object.

Comment by Silent Majority Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 5:38 pm
===the chances are 99% that it was the feds ===

Unless you know something I don’t, think again.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 5:45 pm
UNder Rich’s scenario: Can he tell us what attorney leaked the Trib story about Mrs. B’s shady real estate deals? IT IS THE FED’s!!!!
Like the Administration before him, this one is AS TAINTED if not more. Remember he came in looking for power for his ascension to the U S Presidency. YES> those idiots on two actually believed this goof was Pennsylvania Avenue material.Santa’s coming Santa’s coming is the saying in my house!! The G is coming the G is coming is the saying at the Blago domain.

Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 5:48 pm
So Rich, 99% or not, the legal professionals leaking are all Officers of the Court, at licensure. Therefore, by definition, part of the Justice System. The leaks are despicable no matter how you parse it! Wake up and smell the rotting fish.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 6:05 pm
Silent Majority

“…If they can do this to Kelly, they can do it to you, me or any of us. All they need is the desire and the unwillingness of good people to object…”

How pious. Pray tell, how they could do it to you. I know they could not do it to me. I have no curtain behind which something is hidden.

The quote doesn’t fit the situation.

Comment by Truthful James Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 6:05 pm
Hummmmm. I wonder if this is what Sneed was referring to last week?

Comment by Disgusted Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 7:02 pm
Governor, Revenue, State Police, Gaming Board, Kelly, Casino Gaming Association….Round and round and round we go.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 7:10 pm
If the Governor’s folks wanted to be consistent in their response (cough), they would say it was just a coincidence and that the Governor would never condone such behavior. If the spinmasters were really on top of their game, they would say it’s just another example of evil republicans trying to prevent deserving people from getting health care.

As much as I despise Rod, I am inclined to agree that until Kelly is indicted, this is much ado about nothing. It makes for a great campaign commercial on guilt by association to a bad news story, but, for now, that’s about it. It does, however, show a disturbing and consistent pattern of Rodney surrounding himself with people who have issues with the government itself. The vetting process - even for the second tier of government hacks and “consultants”- is severely lacking.

Comment by DC Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 8:59 pm
I dont think its fair to use the word “secrecy” when discussing an ongoing investigation. If the person turns out to be innocent of the crime for which they are bwing investigated (Bill Clinton, Richard Jewel, and countless others), their name has already been tarnished. Isnt this the meaning of innocent until proved guilty?

What are we doing here?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Dec 11, 07 @ 10:19 pm
The words “innocent of the crime” and “Bill Clinton” in the same sentance — as an analogy to this story?? That’s hilarious. Richard Jewel? That one makes sense, but the finger-wagging Clinton who proclaimed on national TV “I did not have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky” and then was formally impeached (tantamount to conviction) by the House? Whew…

Comment by DC Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 8:19 am
Anon -
Bill Clinton was not found innocent. His crimes were not found to be serious enough for impeachment.

The words “Bill Clinton” and “innocent” should never appear within a sentence, unless the word is being used to describe one of his victims.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 12, 07 @ 8:44 am