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Rezko Verdict * GUILTY ON 16 OF 24 COUNTS * SURRENDERS TO AUTHORITIES ***

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* 2:48 pm - From the US Attorney’s office…

Forwarded from the Court:

Everyone:

The Rezko jury has reached a verdict. The judge will read the verdict at 3:45 pm. Thank you.

* 3:01 pm - WBBM Radio should be carrying it live. Click here to listen.

* 3:05 pm - Watch it live at around 3:45 or so right here, courtesy of CBS 2. Just click on the CBS 2 image to watch it live…

* 3:20 pm - To better follow along at home or office, here is the jury’s verdict form, and here is a brief explanation of each count.

Also, the US Attorney’s Rezko page is here, and their press room page is here.

* 3:44 pm - We’re maxed out on two servers. Hopefully, the problem will be fixed soon, but there’s not much we can do at the moment.

We’re gonna go down for a few minutes while we reboot and add memory.

Goodness gracious. Sun-Times and Trib both crashed during this event.

* 4:19 pm - * From the Tribune…

Count 1: Mail fraud. Scheme to extort $375,000 from Glencoe Capital of Chicago in exchange for $50 million investment from the state Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS). Guilty

Count 2: Mail fraud. Scheme to extort $375,000 from Glencoe Capital. Guilty

Count 3: Wire fraud. Scheme to extort $250,000 from LLR Partners of Pennsylvania in exchange for $25 million TRS investment. Not Guilty

Count 4: Wire fraud. Scheme to extort $850,000 from JER Partners of Virginia in exchange for $85 million TRS investment. Guilty

Count 5: Wire fraud. Scheme to extort $850,000 from JER Partners. Guilty

Count 6: Wire fraud. Scheme to extort $850,000 from JER Partners. Guilty

Count 7: Mail fraud. Scheme to extort $250,000 from Sterling Financial of Northbrook in exchange for $25 million TRS investment. Guilty

Count 8: Mail fraud. Scheme to extort $250,000 from Sterling Financial. Guilty

Count 9: Wire fraud. Scheme to extort $4 million from Investors Mortgage Holding of Arizona in exchange for $200 million TRS investment. Not Guilty

Count 10: Wire fraud. Scheme to extort $4 million from Investors Mortgage Holding. Not Guilty

Count 11: Mail fraud. Scheme to extort $1.5 million bribe in exchange for approval by the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board of a new Mercy Hospital in Crystal Lake. Guilty

Count 12: Mail fraud. Scheme to extort $1.5 million in exchange for approval of Mercy Hospital. Guilty

Count 13: Wire fraud. Schemes to extort $1 million from Stockwell Capital of Chicago, $4 million from Investors Mortgage Holding and $1.5 million to $2.2 million from Capri Capital of Chicago. Guilty

Count 14: Wire fraud. Schemes to extort $4 million from Investors Mortgage Holding and $1.5 million for the Mercy Hospital approval. Guilty

Count 15: Wire fraud. Schemes to extort $850,000 from JER, $4 million from Investors Mortgage Holding, $1.5 million to $2.2 million from Capri Capital and $1.5 million for the Mercy Hospital approval. Guilty

Count 16: Attempted extortion. Scheme to extort $1.5 million to $2.2 million from Capri Capital. Not Guilty

Count 17: Aiding and abetting bribery. Scheme to extort $375,000 from Glencoe Capital. Guilty

Count 18: Aiding and abetting bribery. Scheme to extort $250,000 from LLR Partners Not Guilty

Count 19: Aiding and abetting bribery. Scheme to extort $1 million from Stockwell Capital. Not Guilty

Count 20: Aiding and abetting bribery. Scheme to extort $850,000 from JER Partners Guilty

Count 21: Aiding and abetting bribery. Scheme to extort $4 million from Investors Mortgage Holding. Not Guilty

Count 22: Aiding and abetting bribery. Scheme to extort $1.5 million to $2.2 million from Capri Capital. Not Guilty

Count 23: Money laundering. Scheme to extort $375,000 from Glencoe Capital. Guilty

Count 24: Money laundering. Scheme to extort $375,000 from Glencoe Capital. Guilty

* 5:13 pm - Rezko surrendered to authorities and was taken to jail, even though his sentencing wasn’t scheduled until September…

Rezko, who is scheduled for sentencing in September, surprised even his attorney by opting to begin serving his time immediately.

“I didn’t choose that. Mr. Rezko chose if he was convicted to immediately start serving,” said Joe Duffy, Rezko Defense Attorney. “That was just the desire he expressed to us, and it was his decision.”

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posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:48 pm

Comments

They’re done with their vacation?

Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:51 pm
someone tell me if there is an audio link!!!!!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:52 pm
This could make the leadership meeting very interesting tomorrow!!!

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:54 pm
the make or break moment for the governors press staff…

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:57 pm
How soon until someone asks Obama for his comment?

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:57 pm
My mouth is wet with anticipation…

Comment by BandCamp Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:59 pm
Jurors want to leave early to watch the Cubs game.

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:59 pm
Everybody just hold your breath and your fire. We’ll all know soon enough.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:59 pm
WBBM has a live feed on the Internet but I don’t know that they will have a live feed in the court room.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:59 pm
pins & needles….this verdict actually worries me about the future of IL politics.

Comment by scoot Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:01 pm
WBBM Live Feed

Comment by Learning the Ropes Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:02 pm
No link in the courtroom, guys. Sorry to let you down.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:03 pm
If Rezko skates, we’re back in session on Monday.

Comment by The Elderly Republican Tomato Farmer Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:05 pm
Wow! I haven’t really been following the trial but I understand the rammifications from it. Now I’m anticipating the end, whatever the results maybe!

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:08 pm
While we’re waiting on Mike Flannery, perhaps we might discuss the extent to which a Rezko acquittal would pour hot coffee on the idea of an impeachment resolution.

Comment by The Elderly Republican Tomato Farmer Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:15 pm
TERTF, I said hold your breath and your fire. We’ll know the verdicts soon. No sense in debating what the verdicts might do until we know what the verdicts are.

Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:16 pm
C’mon, BHRP - - the Cubs aren’t on until 9:05 - they’re on the west coast, remember? I used to visit Rogers Park as a kid, BTW. . .my granny lived there for many years. . .I digress, but there’s plenty of time for Rezko Verdict Overload to kick in. . . have a nice day.

Comment by Mrs. McGillicuddy Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:25 pm
Listening to WLS the are going to cover it live

Comment by Staurt L Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:29 pm
-AA- and -VM-
What is the appropriate wine to sip during the reading of the verdict? Cabernet Sauvignon seems perfect with some warm chips and dip.

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:41 pm
WGN says guilty on at least 1 charge

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:57 pm
WGN says guilty on at least 4/5 charge

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:00 pm
Guilty on 16 of 24 counts.

Don’t feel bad Rich…the Trib and Sun Times sites are down too.

Comment by S. Illinois Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:00 pm
Rich, yours is still the best

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:02 pm
Capt Fax we love it when you reboot in public!

Comment by Reddbyrd Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:05 pm
A, AA would have loved an adult beverage, particularly a nice mature Cab. Instead I got a handful of snack mix from the office snack day and Diet Coke with which to savor the verdict.

Talk about rebooting in public-Redd, did you catch poor Mike Parker about to vaporlock on the live Web feed because his walkie-talkie to the 12th floor blew up? Best line-”should I just open a vein right now?”

Rich-another great job.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:11 pm
Rich,
You were up longer than the trib…..

Ok, so if you are the governor what do you do now?

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:13 pm
I don’t think the governor’s going to be calling any special sessions this summer. That reduction veto is probably looking pretty good right now.

But he’s been know to surprise…

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:15 pm
I’m guessing this will fuel those impeachment talks…as if they needed any fuel.

Comment by K to the 3 Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:17 pm
What’s going on with Count 21:

“The agreement that a large finder’s fee from Investors Mortgage Holdings would be split three ways.”

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:18 pm
Hmmm, wonder if Rezko wirefrauded some money into guv’s campaign fund? RICO or Friends(?) of Blago a criminal enterprise?

Comment by A Citizen Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:19 pm
What are the 8 Not Guilty? The live video feed was entertaining as he was very disgusted by the lack of information he was receiving. He only indicated that 16, 18 & 19 were Not Guilty. What are the other 5?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:21 pm
Rich, you should be congratulated on the crash. That’s a good sign.

Comment by Greg Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:21 pm
Breakdown of guilty/not guilty on each of the counts here:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-verdicts-counts,0,2534488.story

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:22 pm
link to verdicts by count: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-verdicts-counts,0,2534488.story

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:23 pm
Is this why Hillary has not conceded?

How does this affect Obama’s real estate dealings with Rezko?

Comment by Middel Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:24 pm
Was he foung guilty of the lesser charges or the more serious charges. Anyone know????

Comment by Happy Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:25 pm
Clad in a light olive suit and red tie, Rezko showed little emotion as the verdicts were read. He could face $4 million in fines and 300 years in prison.

Or he can talk to the feds…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:26 pm
Bye Bye Rod

Comment by Champaign Mike Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:26 pm
Happy, the charges with verdicts are all listed above.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:27 pm
Teflon Rod.

I’m sure we’ll all be re-electing him again. Just as we did twice before.

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:27 pm
i let out a woo like rick freaking flair.

Comment by nino Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:28 pm
Interesting -

Not Guilty on charges related to gov.

What does that mean?

Comment by pro Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:29 pm
Say Goodnight, Blago.

Comment by Free James Brown! Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:29 pm
Isn’t the coming indictment of a major state’s governor enough of a story for the national press? I’m no Obama guy, but it’s frustrating to hear the story told in an Obama-centric way, as if he’s next. Stay focused!

Comment by Greg Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:30 pm
“All in all, this was an Up Day”

Comment by No Way Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:30 pm
Rich, would you consider telling everyone how many unique visitors were lining up before the crash? It would be an interesting fact to know in light of how the MSM derides bloggers as amateurs.

Comment by Brian McDaniel Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:31 pm
Doesn’t matter which particular counts, Rezko facing years behind bars and will sing (the truth) to anybody to reduce that.

Comment by Reform & Renewal Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:32 pm
A quick perusal seems like the various wire/mail fraud charges for extortion stuck, but the associated aiding/abetting bribery charges didn’t. . .like he’s guilty of getting the money out of the marks, but not guilty of a scheme to use the money for bribes. . .if that’s accurate - and that’s a big if - could be good for Blago, if that’s possible. . but what do I know?

Comment by But what do I know?. . . Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:32 pm
PQ’s upcoming funder may have some new faces.

Comment by Garp Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:32 pm
Wow.

Next up…Blago, Cellini, Kjellander, Hurtgen. I wonder if Hurtgen will flip now. He’s been the only other hold out other than Rezko. In his indictment Glennon, Kiferbaum and Levine all pled guilty. With Rezko going down on the Levine testimony, despite Duffy’s “fantastic” dismantling of the Fed’s star witness it makes one wonder. If they trace the $800,000 from Hurtgen-to-Kjellander-to-Rezko That is the end of Blago.

Will this stain Obama(?)- the house deal is certainly suspect. Also, perhaps it shows that Obama must have had quite a few dealings with Rezko to be that intimate with him to trust him on this house deal. The question is: what were those dealings?

Was/is/will it become the October surprise the Clintons kept talking about?

Bye-Bye Combine.

Comment by GofGlenview Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:34 pm
What are you smoking pro? Can I have some?

Every one of those counts is related to the Governor. If you don’t know how, then you need to go back and read the trial transcripts and coverage.

The only silver lining for Rezko is that he didn’t get convicted on the extortion charges. I’m not sure that matters one bit to Blago though.

Comment by Napoleon has left the building Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:34 pm
1240 radio has already had a commentary pointing out Obama is a product of the most corrupt machine in the US - Mayor Daleys. This was when they talked about the 16 of 24 guiltys. Not something for the ol’ Illinois tourism brochure!

Comment by Belle Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:36 pm
I never thought I would be a Mike Madigan fan but our lunatic gov has made me one. I’d guess Mr. Madigan is not in an accomodating mood right now where blago is concerned. Can’t wait to see the next press conference……not appropriate to comment while it is undergoing appeal?

Comment by thurber Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:38 pm
That sound you hear is Super Delegates across the country going: “Oh Crap!”

Comment by Old Elephant Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:38 pm
Garp: can you please post the details for that funder? I’d like to be one of those new faces.

N

Comment by Napoleon has left the building Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:38 pm
Next up Chris Kelly…then possibly the campaign fund?: “Friends of Blagojevich”

Comment by scoot Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:39 pm
For us underachievers - what exactly does this mean? I know Rezko didn’t get convicted on some of the higher-ticket items, but there’s still a substantial amount here that he *was* convicted on. Is there enough here that should worry our governor?

Comment by Name Withheld Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:42 pm
Rod can’t duck it anymore- That trip he took to NYC with Rezko, Levine, Hurtgen, Kelly and the rest was like one big flying indictment. It seems everyone on that plane has either pled guilty, been convicted guilty or is under indictment with the exception of Blago and his bodyguard.

I don’t think the bodyguard is next that just leaves Blago…

Comment by GofGlenview Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:42 pm
NOW if I was MJM, I would change my mind and GO to the Leadership meeting, he could have a lot of fun with this outcome!

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:43 pm
— A Citizen - Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:41 pm:

-AA- and -VM-
What is the appropriate wine to sip during the reading of the verdict? Cabernet Sauvignon seems perfect with some warm chips and dip. –

Mr. Rezko’s verdict should be read sipping Arak, the Syrian louche-beverage. If you are having warm chips and dip, choose a nice garlicy barbeque dip which compliments the anise in the Arak nicely.

Since Mr. Rezko is Syrian, I thought immediately of his homeland’s preferred sipping brew.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:43 pm
This won’t hurt Obama a bit.

If McCain tries to play it, it will bring up McCain’s connections to Keating and the reports that McCain’s wife stole pills from a relief organization she founded.

“Close to bad guys” is not a good topic for McCain. He should stay clear.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:44 pm
Yes the Super Delegates must be sweating this verdict. This will open up the Can of Worms for the swift Boat Bloggers on Obama.

Comment by Middel Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:44 pm
Outstanding! Justice has prevailed!

Comment by Wacker Drive Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:44 pm
Rich,
As always, thank you for the timely report and the breakdown of the verdict.

Comment by From the Sidelines Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:45 pm
jj, where are you, please tell us about this great victory for Rod!!!

Comment by Champaign Mike Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:45 pm
Blago is having another “up” day.

Comment by What's in a name? Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:45 pm
Skeeter,

It sure isn’t going to help Obama, if nothing else if plays to the whole ‘look from what sort of system he came from’….

Then again I never thought the Son-In-Law of a Chicago ward boss would end up governor either.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:46 pm
The notion that it doesn’t matter which charges were “guilty” and that ANY guilty charge may be valid. However, like Levine before him, if Rezko sings to the Feds his testimony will be highly discredited on its face. It would would be interesting to see (of the ‘not guilty’ counts) which ones correlate to Levine’s testimony. What do you think, Rich?

Comment by Unspun Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:48 pm
—-
Then again I never thought the Son-In-Law of a Chicago ward boss would end up governor either.
—–

Why *wouldn’t* a son-in-law of a Chicago ward boss end up as governor? This is Illinois, after all.

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:49 pm
PQ’s funder is the 17th at Fulton’s on the River-I do believe

Comment by Garp Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:50 pm
Well done Rich. This is kind fo helpful too:

Breakdown of Counts
Guilty on 6 of 6 counts wire fraud
Guilty on 6 of 9 counts mail/wire fraud
Not Guilty on 1 count attempted extortion
Guilty on 2 of 6 counts corrupt solicitation
Guilty on 2 counts money laundering

Comment by GofGlenview Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:51 pm
OneMan,
It only hurts in that it makes it difficult for Obama to attack McCain on the Keating issues and the Cindy issues.
It puts the issue out of play.
Both (through surrogates) will try to jab with it, but the issue will end up being a non-factor.
It will, of course, be all over FoxNews, but let’s be honest — that network was going to run negative stuff on him anyway, so it won’t mattter.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:51 pm
Champaign Mike -

I am sure you aren’t that slow, but I am sure you realize that jj’s comments would be how this is great news for Tom Cross…

Comment by problem Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:51 pm
Unspun….

I don’t think Tony has nearly the issues that Levine did.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:51 pm
Saint,
Too funny! If MJM doesn’t attend this meeting he’s missing the chance of a lifetime. He probably won’t be able to sleep waiting for this one.

Comment by Fed Up State Employee Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:51 pm
Namewithheld- the max sentence here would be approx 300 years…out in 5

Comment by GofGlenview Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:52 pm
Middel,

That’s an easy one.

1. Obama’s wife is not racist. If you believe that her comments were racist, you were not going to vote for him anyway; and

2. If you look at Cindy, she’s pretty dirty. She sure seemed to like Percocet and Vicodin.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:54 pm
For those contemplating the appropriate varietal of wine to uncork to relish this news, please remember that this is not a good day for Illinois. This news (right or wrong) will further perpetuate the image of corruption in our state, and further disenfranchise the electorate. It will also embolden Fitz, who seems hell-bent on convicting everyone of mail fraud (a count that half of us committed, if accidentally). Perhaps you wine drinkers should substitute blood, although my guess is that blood thirst is insatiable.

Comment by Unspun Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:55 pm
Skeeter- Rezko was dirty, his leads to both Blago’s door and Obama’s- No Pun I-ntended(as well as many republicans- Cellini, Kjellander et al). It’s just the way it is don’t kill the mail man because you don’t like the mail.

Comment by GofGlenview Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:58 pm
I disagree, Unspun.
Any day that justice is done is a good day.
I’m thinking of tuna with an Asian sauce, paired with an Oregon Pinot.
Of course, I was probably going to do that anyway, since it is healthy (other than the soy, which has a bit too much salt) and quick to prepare.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 4:58 pm
Gofglenview,
You are missing the point.
What will be the response if McCain raises the issue?
“Really, Senator? How is your good friend Mr. Keating doing these days? And by the way, do you have a lock on your medicine cabinet? Have your wife’s charities installed locks?”
From a tactical standpoint, McCain should find other issues since the Keating stuff makes him look a lot worse than this.

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:00 pm
The notion that Obama is a product of the Daley machine is; a) off topic, and b) laughably absurd.

Daley -ever the Chicagophile, if nothing else, got on the Obama bandwagon, not the other way around.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:01 pm
I thought we were here to talk about the Rezko verdict, not create an obnoxious bloggy ode to Sideways.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:03 pm
irony — Just received my “Women for Blagojevich” fundraising invite in the mail today.

Comment by 312 Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:04 pm
Skeeter,
One was 20 years ago, one was at lot more recent. People are going to go Keating who?

As for the “Have your wife’s charities installed locks?” comment.

I hope Obama brings that up, it will show how much honesty there is with his ‘this will be a different campaign’ stuff.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:04 pm
Enough presidential campaign stuff, please. We have a thread for that. Stop cluttering up this thread. Last warning before deletions begin in earnest.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:06 pm
The Rezko verdict destroys any chances for the democrats in the IL10 and IL6. Seals and Morgenthal are close to Blago

Comment by Reasonable Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:07 pm
Skeeter:

Your point with repsect to justice is well-taken. Your taste ain’t bad, either!! I just hate to see the state maintain its focus on ethics/corruption etc., particularly in a presidential election year. These “media sexy” issues tend to drown out the most important issues like the economy, education, health care, etc. I liken it (somewhat loosely)to the polarizing issue of abortion, which in the minds of many voters is the barometer of a candidate, even though most candidates have NO say on the abortion issue.

Comment by Unspun Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:07 pm
I think we should send Lon Monk a “Thinking of You” card with the verdict form inside.

Comment by prairiestatedem Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:16 pm
Ok,
So back to the subject at hand. If you are the governor how do you blunt this, do you veto the budget? Do you just lay low?

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:17 pm
If I am the Gov, I go out tonight and say, that Rezko was a friend, and that I am sorry that he took advantage of being a friend of mine, and that nothing pointed to me, then I run out like the room was on fire.

I do everything I can to keep the GA out of Springfield in order to prevent any Impeachment talk.

I get on a bus and try to drum up support for the capitol bill (and invite Rich Miller for another interview).

Heck, I may even throw another fundraiser.

Basically he needs to act like it does not affect him, that he is not guilty of anything.

Comment by He makes Ryan look like a Saint Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:31 pm
You lay low but it is too late. This snowball is too far down the hill. He may be able to hold off impeachment to survive his term but there will be too many indictments for him to ever be a candidate again. Real issue is if Madigan can keep him from playing the spoiled brat and really destroying the State’s future in efforts to create his “legacy” before he is shown the door.

Comment by Cecil Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:31 pm
Reasonable, what tie does Seals have to Blagojevich?

A lot have speculated that this will bring about meekness from the Gov’s office. I doubt it. I think “He makes Ryan…” could be the scheduler, because his/her analysis seems spot on to me.

Comment by JonShibleyFan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:36 pm
to: 312 Those ” Friends of Blagojevich ” and

Comment by bluedog demo Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:53 pm
To: 312 Those ” Friends of Blago ” and ” Women for Blago ” must have some real ” testostorone “. I and others have repeatedly called them to denounce Blago but and asked to be removed from their mailing list but the continue to mail us their crap. The sooner we are rid of Blago, Jones and Madigan plus a boatload of Dem and GOPer underlings the better off we all will be !

Comment by bluedog demo Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:56 pm
TV news just reported that Rezko was taken into federal custody and sentencing would take place September 3rd. Why does it take 3 months, anyone know?

Comment by Fed Up State Employee Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 6:04 pm
Let’s move everything to this post please. Thanks. This was getting kinda long.

[Added later] Also, VM, the best Arak is made in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. I don’t know of any good Syrian Arak. Lebanon is where the top-notch stuff comes from. Trust me on this one. I think I’ll go have me some now.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 6:29 pm