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What’s ahead for Blagojevich? Indictment? Impeachment?

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* Michael Sneed has some of the best federal prosecutorial sources in the business, so when she has a lede like this, you should pay close attention…

Sneed hears rumbles the feds have Gov. Blagojevich in their gunsights bigtime. “I’m told he’s next . . . they have the goods on him and they were expecting good things out of [influence peddler] Tony Rezko, if he was convicted,” said a Sneed source.

* The Sun-Times also had this brief bit…

Federal authorities plan to keep moving up the food chain. And they’ve already been scrutinizing Gov. Blagojevich’s campaign fund, his office’s hiring practices and real-estate deals involving his wife, Patti. The Rezko verdict gives them a green light to further pursue the Blagojevich administration, according to a source who said Wednesday of that probe: “We’re moving at full speed.”

* And in a much longer story, the Sun-Times looked into what the feds have done so far…

• Subpoenaed Gov. Blagojevich’s campaign fund.

• scrutinized his campaign contributions.

• Looked into real-estate transactions connected to the governor’s wife, Patti Blagojevich.

• Interviewed witnesses in other cases about their conversations with the governor. Among them: Ali Ata, who said in his plea deal that the governor knew he was getting a job after donating $60,000 to his campaign fund.

• Used a “mole” to get information from business people about contributions to the governor’s campaign.

There’s a whole lot more, but you get the drift.

* The Tribune editorializes…

It’s not clear how high in this governor’s domain the criminal behavior around him reached. What is clear is that federal agents and prosecutors are bound—and determined—to find out.

* Tom Roeser wrote this the other day…

the former federal prosecutor told me the feds are expected to offer a deal to both [Rod and Patti Blagojevich]. The governor will take a plea of an indeterminate lesser nature and resign in return for which his wife shall either not be prosecuted or receive a confinement sentence, allowing her to continue to care for their two daughters.

That’s been speculated for a while now, but rarely spoken in more than hushed tones. It’s something to consider, since the feds love to play extreme hardball.

* Another avenue might be impeachment…

The verdict also makes it more likely that legislators will continue to talk about impeaching the governor. The state Constitution gives the Illinois House the power to investigate impeachment, which already has started behind the scenes to “be prepared,” said House Speaker Michael Madigan last week “We’ve already done research on impeachment,” he said during a Statehouse news conference. “Our attorney, Mr. [David] Ellis, is chock-full of conclusions.” The Senate would have to approve an impeachment by a two-thirds majority.

* More…

Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago) said he doesn’t support an impeachment committee, but said based on conversations with colleagues, there are enough votes in the House to create such a panel. Still, Colvin said, the motivation goes beyond Rezko to those lawmakers who want Blagojevich to pay for his abrasive dealings with them.

Colvin is absolutely right about there being enough votes at the moment to create an impeachment committee.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 9:55 am

Comments

Feds Play hardball

As Monica famously complained, they do. And remember in an Enron case it was a JUDGE who DEMANDED jail time for the wife, as well as the husband, who had already pled guilty. She got a year, I think. He got 10.

Comment by Pat collins Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:00 am
Just as Pres. Bush has clearly (at the least) knowingly encouraged others to violate the law (ie, AT&T and domestic spying without FISA Court approval) and thus committed what must be considered an impeachable offense given the Republicans’ own standard (set in the Clinton impeachment proceedings), so too has Gov. Blagojevich with the allegedly illegal shifting of approved funds in last year’s budget, among other activities.

Both ought to be impeached in order to avoid setting a “get out of impeachment free” precedent.

Comment by Rob_N Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:03 am
Whatever happened to letting the US Attorney do his job? The cart is way before the horse here. The Governor hasn’t been indicted, but the wolves baying for his blood kick up their voices even higher merely because one of his confidantes has been convicted. I’ll agree that the entire Rezko trial casts a lurid light on the mansion, but there have been very few bits of testimony that sounded like the governor was involved in illegal activity. I say let the process play out. If the feds had such a great case against the gov, they would have filed it by now. I suppose they’re hoping for help from Rezko et al, but they don’t have it yet.

Comment by chiatty Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:06 am
How about going after their daughters as they received some questionable “gifts” as well?

Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:07 am
It could get ugly this summer….Blagojevich now has authority to set special session times and dates (say goodbye to July 4 parades for lawmakers!). It’s hard to imagine what he would do should the House begin impeachment proceedings. Which, by the way, I agree they should do.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:08 am
==merely because one of his confidantes has been convicted==
uh, yeah…but how many have plead guilty? How many more called their attorneys last night? Back to the three Rs: Remember Reform and Renewal?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:10 am
The next QOTD should be: which will come first, indictment or impeachment? Or neither?
When one of Sneed’s sources says they “have the goods on” Blago I interpret that to mean that they already have sufficient evidence for an indictment, even without Rezko flipping. They were probably just waiting for the Rezko trial to end so as not to influence the outcome.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:13 am
I’ll queue up Kool and the Gang to start the party the very moment that word of impeachment/indictment comes down.

Comment by VivaLFuego Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:17 am
come on, say it with me: governor pat quinn. doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?

Comment by bored now Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:17 am
Rob N,

Why do you always go off topic to the GOP bashing and W bashing instead of commenting directly on what the topic is?

Comment by ChiCountryGuy Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:28 am
Chiatty,

The lege doesn’t have to have a conviction in hand from the judiciary in order to impeach.

Bill Clinton was never convicted of anything, yet he was impeached simply for lying.

The lege and the lege alone decides what is or is not an impeachable offense because the lege alone defines the grounds for impeachment. That’s true in both the US and the Illinois Constitutions. (And yes, the grounds ought not to be frivolous, lest the lege not meet the 2/3rds supermajority requirement….)

That said, Rezko has nothing to do with Gov. Blagojevich’s allegedly illegal transferring of state funds in last year’s “budget”… which, if they need grounds for impeachment, the lege can certainly point to as their rationale. Might not be as sexy as a big scandal, but it’s an awful precedent to have set since it violates the rules and regs.

Comment by Rob_N Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:30 am
Its possible the impeachment talk is being stoked up to put pressure on the Gov during the budget negotiations. i.e. it is and will remain talk. If the feds really are gearin up to go after the Gov impeachment is a bit anti climatic anyway.

Impeachment sounds more like a warning shot across the Gov’s bow at this stage. And the Gov’s handling of the house last year with his veto pen; not to mention going after state employed familymemebrs of Madigans people and other on the out has guranteed him litle to no sympathy.

The big uestion, will Jones, hendon and Trotter still want to be known as Blago supporters and protect him on the senate side if Impeachment does go forward.

Comment by Ghost Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:32 am
Chi Country Guy,

Reread the post. I didn’t go off-topic. I expanded the topic.

Impeachable offenses are impeachable offenses.

The questions, from Rich’s title, are “What’s ahead for Blagojevich? Indictment? Impeachment?” and I answered with my opinions, chiefly, that impeachment should be next.

If you don’t like my opinions just say so instead of griping in response to only half of my comment.

Comment by Rob_N Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:34 am
Poor legislators. How can they stand all the abuse?

Comment by problem Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:40 am
The house needs to take a deep breath, count to 10, put their dislike of this guy out of their minds, then look at this issue carefully. My take: an indictment should mean immediate impeachment. If one is not forthcoming soon, they should form an impeachment committee - an investigation, not a lynch mob. The committee should ask for appropriate evidence to determine whether there has been impeachable wrongdoing. This evidence obviously includes the coveted subpoenas. If he chooses not to immediately provide them, it’s like refusing a breathalyzer test. No arguments about it - he should be impeached. Then it’s up to the Senate to decide what to do.

Comment by Excessively rabid Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:42 am
I have heard through a reliable source, if the Blagos dont play ball that Patti will be indicted first. this will put pressure on G rod, and what will Dick Mell say? If you look at how the G went after the Enron guys, they indicted Leah Fastow to flip Andy Fastow to get Skilling. The ultimate target here is Cellini. Patti to G Rod to Cellini.

Comment by Touchdown Rejus Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:47 am
===The ultimate target here is Cellini. Patti to G Rod to Cellini.===

C’mon.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:52 am
What’s ahead? I would say both.

What’s first? Hard to say. My gut says an indictment would be first, but my head tells me not to hold my breath for the indictment anytime soon.

It’s only going to get more interesting as it unfolds. Happy belated Birthday Kevin!

Comment by jwscott72 Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 11:07 am
Rod will follow George Ryan’s model and profess innocence, even during his trial….they’ll squeeze him regarding his wife and that’s how this will end.

Comment by Will Clark Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 11:17 am
Why would they deal with Blago like that? They just sent Ryan to jail, he didn’t get any deals. Why Ryan and not Blago? Maybe they think Blago will spill the beans on others, which I am sure he would sell out his own kids to go free.

Comment by Hard Working Taxpayer Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 11:36 am
If Roser is correct, He will have no choice but to deal with the feds. Someone has to watch his children.

On a side note, I have always thought that he did most of his work out of a campaign office close to his home so he could intermix campaign stuff with state business without getting in trouble like GFR did. It now makes more since.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 11:37 am
Wouldn’t it be ironic if they got Rod to resign thru his wife, since it is widely held that it was Patti’s dad that actually got him launched into the governor’s race.

My wife says she thinks Rod would throw Patti under the bus rather than quit.

Comment by Fighting Ennui Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 11:49 am
The intelligent thing to do would be to cut his losses and plea bargain - spare his wife from being indicted, save himself the expense of a futile trial which he will lose, serve his time, and get on with the rest of his life. His political career is kaput - no matter what, becasue he has no credibility with anyone.

The Governor must resign promptly after he is indicted, or he should be impeached after being given an opportunity to resign.

Comment by Captain America Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 11:52 am
===My wife says she thinks Rod would throw Patti under the bus rather than quit.===

There is that school of thought. We’ll just have to wait and see. None of it may happen.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 11:52 am
I am no fan of the Governor, but the way this is headed could mean many of the folks in the Administration who aided and abetted from Filan on down will be bypassed and get a free pass. The Guv did not think all of this up by himself and he did not do it by himself (hiring, violating procurement rules, transfer fund balances, renew bad leases, keep lawbreakers on the payroll, etc). There are many folks who have left that did this and others who pointed out the transgressions and were punished.
Unlike the Ryan drama, there are many more “actors” in the current cast.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 12:17 pm
Both.

For all those who ask “what is impeachable” I think that this impeachment isn’t just about the law, it’s about politics. Right now, every Democrat from Barack Obama to Susana Mendoza needs to distance themselves from the Governor as much as they can or they will suffer for it. Any defenders he has left will pay for it. Voting to impeach G-Rod would be an insurance policy against being tied to him, politically. So if the House votes to impeach and the Senate doesn’t act - who will suffer the voters anger?

Impeachment is the ultimate no-lose situation for Madigan:
Impeach hated lying governor - check.
Give a safety cushion to your own caucus members in election year - check.
Put Emil Jones and the Senate Democrats on the spot and force him to publicly defend hated lying Governor again - check.

One last thought on this. Remember how George Ryan’s death row clemency was regarded as an act intended to show potential jurors he was a good-hearted man. In that same way, isn’t it possible that an impeachment might hurt the Governor with his legal problems ?

Comment by Napoleon has left the building Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 12:24 pm
I was wondering about putting an ad on Insiderz Exchange, but maybe Craig’s list would be better:

For sale: Thirty large vinyl banners, stamped with a repeating pattern that says: “Reform and Renewal”. Show some light wear from bright TV lighting, but otherwise in good shape.

Perfect as a rugged but disposable picnic table cover at the state park, to keep tree sap and bird droppings off an Obamallac, as a boat cover at Lake Springfield, or to cover up an unsightly concrete wall and visually open up a small, viewless space, even to wrap around yourself as a poncho and head cover during perp walks, to keep the rain off.

Makes a handy play tent when playing hooky from work for a day to stay home with the kids and make pirate forts.

Or use the unprinted back side for “house for sale” signs on the lawn.

All serious offers considered, circumstances force quick sale.

Comment by Gregor Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 12:37 pm
I wonder if “Judgement Day Is On The Way” can tell us how much closer Judgement Day has gotten in the last 24 hours…

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 12:38 pm
Napoleon,

Any impeachment is inherently about politics.

Nixon resigned before being impeached and that entire issue was over political operatives breaking into a rival political office.

As the late Henry Hyde admitted, the Republicans’ pursuit of impeachment against Clinton was “payback” for Nixon’s resignation.

The lege and the executive are populated by political animals. Interaction between the two branches is inherently political.

Comment by Rob_N Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 12:50 pm
I would assume impeachment proceedings could be an unneccessary course of action, and possibly an impediment to the US Attorney’s march towards indictment. Fitzgerald politely asked Lisa Madigan to get out of his way many months ago, so I can’t see why her father would now decide to impose the House into the process of removing the Governor.

Comment by Budget Watcher Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 12:58 pm
Right on the money Napoleon! I’d love to see a whip count on impeachment right now.

Comment by jwscott72 Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 12:58 pm
I think the House owes the people of Illinois a committee on impeachment. Take a deep breath, hear testimony, gather documents, issue a report. If articles of impeachment are called for, draw them up, debate and take the roll call. At this point, it’s their duty.

The Sneed lede actually made me laugh. I thought it had been clear for some time the governor was the ultimate target. The buck stops there.

He will be indicted. If you can make a deal by resigning, he should do it. Would you take your chances with a jury if you were him and his negatives?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 1:08 pm
It appears Rezco finally quit listening to his self serving attorneys and will begin cooperating with the feds. If this is correct, the feds will have the goods on Kelly but good.

Kelly is the country club sort and once he finds out Rezco is talking hell flip quicker than a White Castle hamburger. So there will be no Kelly trial and with Rezco and Kelly et. al to testify against the Blogo its over.

What is more interesting to me is who else Kelly and Rezco bring down. They are the Pandora’s Box of corruption and could spew for days without boring a federal prosecutor.

Comment by Garp Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 1:20 pm
WHat’s lost in all this chaos over the past 24 hours is the chorus asking for *answers* from the governor.

I’m a taxpayer. I pay my taxes, and I vote. But this guy hasn’t had the decency to stand in front of a microphone for more than 10 seconds and *explain* his side of the story.

At least we’re owed this. We’re at least owed an explanation of what the governor was actually doing while all this corruption was going on.

We won’t get it, I’m sure. And if Rich is right above and “none of this may happen” — then all we’ll get is flashy annoucements at old steel mills talking about a third term.

This is crazy. Where are the voice demanding explanations? I could care less about impeachment and — frankly — indictment. The feds going after his wife? That’s pretty ruthless and hardcore — and it freaks me out a bit just reading about it — but, cripes: the gov and his wife are/were involved in something. They made *some* deal somewhere with someone. Why aren’t they explaining this? I’m his beloved “good people” — the hard-working schmuck who worries about schools and health care and taxes. Forget about talking with Madigan. Forget about the goofiness with Jones and his crazy “food stamps” raise.

I want the governor I voted for to be a man and step up and start explaining his involvement. I’m sick and tired and these dumb 15 second press conferences. I’m sick of hearing how he’s ducking out of speeches before the rest of the speakers have given their speeches.

This is crazy. It really is. The governor is coward. And in the worst way.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 1:30 pm
Well said, Macbeth. I suspect the best you can hope for is a Nixonian “the people need to know if their president is a crook. Well, I’m no crook.”

And we all know what happened to that guy.

Given your handle, I think you can appreciate this description of our governor’s positionL

“Those he commands move only in command,
Nothing in love: now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.”

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 1:50 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays were always busy before the different GJ’s. One can tell if it’s going to be a ‘hot one’ by how the dress is (there’s normal GJ business dress and then there’s the “A Game” dress), and by the carts of paper evidence being wheeled in to the GJ. Another good tip off is when they roll in all the A-V gear and the plasma displays.

So far it’s taken longer than I thought, but the Fed’s are very, very much into the detail. Takes time, because they do their best to tie everything together.

But, if they go for “Official A” real soon, tells me that one of 2 major players have rolled and are putting info on the table for the feds.

Also, don’t be too surprised if there’s a witness out of the blue - somebody like a major high profile trial lawyer who just plead guilty to other federal charges.

Just reading from my crystal ball….

Comment by Judgment Day Is On The Way Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 1:57 pm
“he’s next…” refering to Blago is interesting. I would have thought Kjellander and Cellini next. Maybe they’ll all go together.

Comment by GofGlenview Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 2:05 pm
“the mole” I like it. Wow. Fitzy is hard core about breaking the Combine.

Comment by GofGlenview Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 2:33 pm
Where’s Bill today? Are you too busy reading the multitude of comments to post one yourself?

Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 3:18 pm
You now what no one ever brings up and its possible connection to all of the political corruption trial?

The Family Secrets Trials.

Its no secret that The Outfit has has its tenticles in City Hall. Maybe GRod made some of the same friends and people have talked throughout the course of those investigations as well. It’s the Chicago Way, after all.

Comment by Bud Man Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 3:19 pm
Start by investigating the Illinois Tollway and I.D.O.T. administrations the last five plus years, hiring unqualified goofs with large salaries and shady deals abound.

Comment by State Worker Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 4:34 pm
Bill and Redbyrd are too busy getting their convertible ready for the “Thelma and Louise” canyon jump.

Comment by Furter Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 4:53 pm
Furter, the only thing Redd might do for Bill’s drive off the cliff is to gas up the car. No more than a quarter tank, though. Why waste that $4 gasoline?

Judgment Day, AA thinks your crystal ball is reading pretty well. POA may have more than one “Mel” to worry about.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 5:17 pm
Bill’s around. He’s commenting on other posts.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 5:21 pm
I’ve been hearing for a couple of months now that he’s going down and going down real hard, so I’d guess the focus is indictment. Haven’t heard Mrs. B mentioned at all, though. Must be something new.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 7:05 pm
Wow… Obama clinches the Dem nomination, Chicago gets into the final round for the Olympics, and Rezko goes down… all in one day!
It may be 90 degrees outside but it’s definitely a Merry Fitzmas season for us political junkies

Comment by Bookworm Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 7:46 pm
This just stupid thinking. The feds would rather have Cellini than the Governor ? Fat chance they are going for the governor.
I think Patti and Rod are now moving to Springfield. They will barricade themselves in and have the state police guard the gates. The feds are not getting in. The feds will have to bring in the tanks.

Comment by Maggie Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 8:43 pm
Paul Reubens (a.k.a. Pee-wee Herman) would make a great Rod Blagojevich if all this ends up on the silver screen.
Call it Comedy-Drama/Documentry. I can just see Paul Reubens as old Rod being interviewed by the media……

Comment by Priceless Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 8:57 pm
I think the Feds will continue their methodical upward movement towards both Cellini and the governor. They’ve wanted Cellini for a long time.
I hope they get Kjellander too for money
laundering.

I bet Daddy Mell didn’t think this would happen. And what is it going to do for Patti’s sister’s unopposed campaign?

Comment by Disgusted Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 10:08 pm
How about this… Governor calls special session, the full house and senate return… then proceed to authorize the formation of a comittee to impeach the governor… and then adjourn… ha ha ha…

Comment by Heartless Libertarian Thursday, Jun 5, 08 @ 11:36 pm
What’s strange about this whole thing is : Mell was the one to bring in the feds to investigate his ungrateful son-in-law. Now it looks like his daughter may be indicted. Say anything you want about Mell. But he loves his kids no matter how bad they have behaved towards him.
This is just devastating for Mell.

Comment by Maggie Friday, Jun 6, 08 @ 7:56 am