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*** UPDATE *** I told subscribers about this today…
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has filed no answer to impeachment charges against him as the state Senate directed.
He may still file a request to dismiss the charges in the Senate, which is preparing to put him on trial Jan. 26. Senators will decide whether to remove him from office.
Toby Trimmer is spokesman for Senate President John Cullerton. Trimmer says if the governor does not file any paperwork before the trial, a plea of “not guilty” will be entered for him.
Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero says he knows of no plans to file any documents.
[ *** End of Update *** ]
* The governor’s lawyers deny that no money for an impeachment defense was the reason they resigned from the case in protest last week…
With the governor strapped for cash, his lawyers were looking to his campaign fund for their fees. But prosecutors wouldn’t sign off on lawyers tapping into the Friends of Blagojevich war chest to cover legal expenses for the impeachment. They have agreed that some attorney fees can come out of the fund for the criminal case, though, sources said.
The Blagojevich campaign fund’s latest report showed it had more than $3.6 million in it.
While there’s no formal government order that bans defense lawyers from tapping the fund, prosecutors have filed a notice that they intended to freeze it. Since receiving that notice — which came about a week after the governor’s Dec. 9 arrest on corruption charges, including an allegation he tried to sell an appointment to succeed Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate — Blagojevich’s lawyers have been careful to take money from the fund only with government permission, fearing the money might be seized later, sources said.
Lawyers for Blagojevich said the possibility of not getting paid didn’t factor into their decision to pull out of the Senate impeachment trial, which will go on without them.
“That’s nonsense,” said lead attorney Ed Genson. “Putting on this hearing was counterproductive, and anything other than what was best for the client.”
* Chuck Goudie suggests an “Animal House” ending to the impeachment ordeal…
When the state Senate gavels open its impeachment trial, our governor ought to keep in mind the most applicable quote from Eric Stratton in the movie:
“I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.”
That’s exactly what the governor’s lawyers did last Friday. Go read the whole thing.
* Meanwhile, another horror show…
The daughter-in-law of a Bridgeview concrete company executive, identified as “Highway Contractor 1″ in the federal charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich, quietly was appointed to head a state commission and received a big bump in pay.
Lainie Krozel, 39, of Hinsdale, was promoted Oct. 1 by the governor to executive director of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission - about the same time that Blagojevich sought a $500,000 campaign donation from Gerald Krozel, vice president of Bridgeview’s Prairie Material, one of the state’s largest concrete producers, according to federal prosecutors.
* Related…
* Feds may not be done with gov’s go-to guy Kelly
* Daley: Blagojevich has to make his own decision to resign
* Some public seats to be available for impeachment trial
* A beginning for Obama, an ending for Blago
* Blagojevich cites N.C. case to deny clemency file requests
* SIU probe finds no connection between Blagojevich, trustees
* The alphabet soup that has Gov. Blagojevich in hot water
* Another post for gov to fill
* Blago trial delays action on state’s real woes
* A new governor might help conservationists in Illinois
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:02 am
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The lawyers can bluster and stammer until their faces turn blue. This is the bottom line: Genson and Adam cannot afford to give Blago a free line of credit for defense costs similar to the the one that Winston & Strawn gave to George Ryan.
Comment by Jake from Elwood Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:27 am
== “I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody’s part.”==
And the Governor is just the one to do it…
Because when you think stupid gesture, I don’t know about you but I think Rod!
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:33 am
Over? Did you say over? Nothing is over until Blago says it is. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:51 am
That this governor would believe the delusion that he has an absolute right to be governor is predictable.
That his lawyers would perpetuate and participate in that delusion is laughable.
The criminal justice system has such a high burden of proof because it involves the curbing of actual rights. Being governor is not a right, it is a privilege…a privilege that can be withdrawn. In fact, the same document that created that privilege spells out how it can be withdrawn, the Illinois Constitution. Because it is a privilege and not a right, the burden can, and should, be less stringent than for criminal conviction.
Rich, when you first broke this story, with the quotes from the attorneys, my first reaction was that they were trying to get Rod off by claiming incompetent representation. Now that the other shoe has dropped, and the money angle has been exposed, the weekend events make much more sense.
It does make me wonder, though, if freezing the campaign funds and not allowing the lawyers to get paid is an attempt by Fitzgerald to get a quick deal done. That leads to several questions:
Can Fitz let the lawyers have some of the frozen funds once a deal is done?
Can that be a condition of a deal?
Would that not be possible after a verdict at trial (if found guilty)?
Comment by McLean Farmboy Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 9:58 am
Wow. Discussing Blago must have jumped the shark. Only a few comments on a pounce-worthy subject.
Oh yeah, there’s that other thing going on today. My bad.
Comment by This Guy Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:04 am
Animal House ending to impeachment: a parade that goes awry? That sounds like how IL government has been running the past 6 years. Bet Rod still has some more cards to play with or without $$$
Comment by North of I-80 Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:04 am
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
Christ. Seven years of [being governor] down the drain. Might as well join the [bleeping] Peace Corps.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:09 am
Frozen funds: if Fitz can make the case that campaign funds were obtained illegally, then freezing turns into seizure & forfeiture to govt.
Comment by North of I-80 Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:16 am
If Blago’s lawyers, and Blago himself, aren’t going to bother showing up for the impeachment trial, how much does that speed up the proceedings? If Blago does not offer any defense whatsoever, I would think this thing could be wrapped up before Super Bowl Sunday.
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:28 am
Since 2005, Lainie Krozel listed herself as the owner of Nelson Testing Services and Nelson Testing Laboratories in her Secretary of State Statement of Economic Interest Disclosures. In 2004, Lainie Krozel did not list ownership in the company. Did Lainie Krozel buy the company in 2005 or did Lainie Krozel lie in her Statement of Economic Interest in 2004? Justification for giving her the Liquor Commission job was her purported superior intelligence. In the 2006 Statement of Economic Interests, Lainie Krozel misspelled the word “laborities”, which was part of the name of the company she owns; she misspelled the name of the company she owns. Can she spell “liquor” in the commission she directs or does she just drink it?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:23 am
I would hope that if Brent Manning is brought back a few things would change from his previous administration. I would hope that he would work harder including the field in the operation of the IDNR. While there were good things about his administration he also created an elitest group of administrators and housed them in the “Crystal Palace” at the fair grounds and shut out the working field staff of the Agency. He also favored new large complex sites that catered to groups he was close to and took money away from much needed projects at older sites and used the money to give only the best to Edgar Panther Creek and The World Shooting Complex. Many of the infrastructure problems the IDNR is facing now are from the years of neglect of older heavily used sites in favor of the new splashy sites.
While the constituent groups had more say and input into the operation of the department and to outward appearances the department was prospering, inside the morale was low and contiued to fall throughout Manning’s tenure. He was a master of spin and would dodge questions regarding lack of funds for repairs to established sites with descriptions of how his plans would create a wonderful new utopia where everyone was happy. The “Crystal Palace” is one example. Millions were spent pumping concrete into mines below the construction site so the building would not collapse. Millions were put into the building itself which was to be the picture of what the IDNR was. The building is cold and difficult to heat, on the shaded side staff have to wear sweaters, etc. to stay warm. When the sun shies in it is too hot to sit near those windows. Staff have to bring umbrellas to shade them while they work. The lake seeps in the lower level and a constant battle is waged against the results of the seepage. The waterfall that was to be the centerpiece of the interior still does not work properly. It has had many renovations to it’s design because the designer did not realize that water falling from four stories up would splash out of a shallow small diameter splash basin and render the stairs unusable. I guess the “Crystal Palace” is the perfect example of the IDNR under Manning; flashy and beautiful on the outside, unworkable and leaking on the inside.
Comment by Irish Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:27 am
Darn it word, you beat me to the post on that one.
“Did we take liberties with (the Law)? -wink- We did.”
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:38 am
When Gov Goofy is is removed from office will he loose his pension? And if he resigns does he get to keep the pension until Fitz convicts him?
Comment by Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:39 am
In keeping with the Animal house theme, this comment for Sam Adam, jr. makes me want to take his guitar and smash it to pieces against the wall:
“And he’s appalled. He cannot believe that this is his government. He cannot believe this is the State of Illinois. He cannot believe that as governor this is what they do to you. He has less rights as an elected official and governor than a kid who steals candy out of the store. That, that, that’s asinine to us…”
So the Governor’s incredulous?!?! Really?! The ‘unfairness’ of impeachment is a shocker!!.! to him? I can’t wait until it actually happens!!.!
I know this is all merely posturing and theatrics, but it still ticks me off. I’m ‘appalled.’ I ‘cannot believe that this is (my) government.’ I ‘cannot believe this is the State of Illinois.’ I ‘cannot believe that as governor this is what’ he’s gotten away with for so long.
Comment by Frank Sobotka Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:48 am
Gov had deadline of Saturday to file his response to the impeachment articles, and he has until 4 p.m. today to file a motion to dismiss. I take it he didn’t complete the first action on time; any bets on whether he’ll do the second?
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 11:58 am
AA, maybe Blago, Genson and the Young Ralph Kramden should appear in the Senate and stage a walkout:
“If I was corrupt, aren’t you saying government is corrupt? Gentlemen, we’re not going to stand here while you badmouth the United States of America!”
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:05 pm
Guess that answered my question.
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:28 pm
Your question would’ve been answered hours ago (and in more detail) had you subscribed. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:30 pm
Rod: “Toga! Toga! Toga!”
Comment by tanstaafl Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 12:41 pm
I would if I made anywhere near as much money as you do!
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 1:35 pm
I find Adams’ correlation to “a kid who steals candy out of the store” oddly ironic. Did he forget that it was only a few months ago when Blago fired Rick Beard for shoplifting?
This, before Beard was prosecuted and only a week after he was caught. And here we are well over a month following the Blagojevich arrest and he still has his job. So, who has more rights again Mr. Adams?
Comment by Not From Here Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 1:36 pm
That would be circular logic, since I make most of my money from subscriptions.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 1:36 pm
{Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has filed no answer to impeachment charges against him as the state Senate directed.}
He hasn’t filed the FOB Semi-Annual D-2 for the second half of 2008 yet either which is due today. It would be interesting to fill in the Rosemary Woods sized gap in the records at this point and see how Mr. Nayak and Mr. Chico’s friends rallied for the cause or if anyone from the racing industry actually “ponied up” from Thanksgiving to D-Day.
Hinshaw said they don’t have the information. What are the chances that PFitz provided that so that the filing deadline could be met?
Comment by Blago Sphere Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 4:33 pm
word, that would be a great move, but I’m afraid that many of the members of Blago Delta House seem to have turned in their pins and paddles.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 6:13 pm
A new governor can help reassure DNR and conservations by … ensuring John Filan is not let anywhere near their budget and funds. Governor Blagojevich’s feelings and actions have been well publicized. Filan’s Fund Sweeps and (illegal) Efficiency Payments? Not so much.
Comment by We Can Hope Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 7:43 pm
Conservationists, not conservations. New keyboard tray.
Comment by We Can Hope Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 7:51 pm
As the thread with the story on Granberg is already closed, I am commenting here.
There are a number of Illinois sportsmen and sportswomen who are questioning the appointment of Granberg. Why you ask? Primarily due to no real record of ever standing up for the people who hunt and fish in Illinois or for the state resources we value as so dearly.
How did he vote on the recent fund sweeps?
How does he stand on the potential selling off of Pyramid State Park for developers to establish a “Branson-like” venue?
Why are the state parks in his area suffering from neglect and funding cuts (i.e., Carlyle) and has not demonstrated any support for them or the citizens that utilize them?
Who has he pushed for in Blago’s hiring over the past 6 years?
How does an attorney rate in administering programs that have so many of the neglected state resources under its control as compared to someone with say wildlife management, or similar type of experience (and I do not specifically mean Manning)?
And why would someone accept such an appointment from a Governor whose last appointment (Burris) created such a National furor?
How much does he stand to gain (additionally) financially in retirement IF the Illinois Senate concurs with his appointment?
Is he someone that Lt. Governor Quinn would accept or would he look for the best qualified person to restore trust amongst its constituents, reassure that professionalism is restored to its human resources, and correct what is wrong between Illinois and the USFWS that recently announced they would cut funds due to the recent budget sweeps?
And the list goes on…
Please do not let this die and allow the Governor and Granberg a Free Ride because he is a “Retired” Illinois State Senator. Please.
PS It seems he primary interest is golf according to his own statements as one of his goals/objectives are but what are the rest if he has been preparing for this “transition” for over 12 months????
Comment by LINK Tuesday, Jan 20, 09 @ 10:02 pm
Former DNR director, Brent Manning didn’t have two people to deal with. John Filan who month by month took all the monies for programs and personnel and Blagojevich who has never shown any interest in preserving our state parks/natural resources, or our God given right to hunt/fish. We don’t need Manning, just a Governor who can see beyond Chicago and his own interests.
Comment by Remembering Wednesday, Jan 21, 09 @ 11:00 am