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Blagojevich can’t go to Costa Rica * Public defender? *

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*** UPDATE 1 *** Tribune…

A federal judge has denied permission to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to travel to Costa Rica to participate in a reality TV show.

No surprise there.

*** UPDATE 2 *** CBS2…

Judge James B. Zagel also said in court that Blagojevich is broke, and public funds will have to be used for his criminal defense.

The judge ruled Blagojevich to be a flight risk and also tried to warn the former governor that he wasn’t facing up to reality…

The judge also said Blagojevich has not done his homework, and has not come to full understanding of what he faces.

Nothing new there.

*** UPDATE 3 *** Yep. It was a media circus. From Natasha Korecki’s Twitter page…

blago emerges from dunkin donuts. giant grin on face. pace bus almost runs over media

*** UPDATE 4 *** Sun-Times…

“I don’t think this defendant in all honesty … fully understands the position he finds himself in,” said U.S. District Judge James Zagel.

Tribune…

“It’s just another day,” Blagojevich said after the hearing.

[ *** End of Updates *** ]

* The Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism publishes a weekly study of various aspects of news coverage, including leading newsmakers. Here is an item from this week’s report…

From the narrative…

The battle for fifth-leading newsmaker (1%) was a tie between three very different types of celebrities. They included retiring pro football announcer John Madden; Melissa Huckaby, the woman charged in the murder of eight-year old California girl Sandra Cantu; and indicted former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who reportedly plans to ask a judge to allow him to travel to Costa Rica in order to be a contestant on the TV show, “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!”

With Blagojevich, reality is even stranger than reality television.

Tell me about it.

Blagojevich’s rating may go up this week, depending on the judge’s decision today. As you probably already know, Blagojevich has a court hearing today…

Tuesday’s hearing in Chicago comes one week after the ousted former governor said he wants permission to go to Costa Rica to take part in a reality TV show set in the jungle.

A more pressing matter is how much of his campaign fund U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel will let him use to pay his lawyers.

Apparently, they’re having yet another media circus at the federal building. More later.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 11:36 am

Comments

Man! Look at all the flashing ads. Sombody’s been making rain.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 11:45 am
Well, hopefully, this will give Rod a greater understanding of the situation he’s facing.

But I’m interested to hear what folks think about taxpayers footing the bill. I suspect the fallout from this might force Blagojevich to come to a greater understanding of what it is he’s about to face.

Yikes.

Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 11:52 am
We already paid this guy for 6 years for not doing his job and ripping us off and now we are going to have to pay to defend him for ripping us off!!!!

Great, the electorate (and tax payers) that keeps giving!

Comment by WOW Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 11:58 am
I guess no one has found Blago’s shoeboxes of cash yet. Did they check the freezer?

Comment by Tim Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 11:59 am
Now that he’s facing the prospect of a public defender it’s a good thing this isn’t a capital case since he line item reduced $400,000 out of the line itme for the block grant to the Cook County Public Defender for Capital Lit cases last year, especially since the Defener’s office is currently shopping the GA for a supplemental bill this spring. Could be a little awkward.

Comment by Scooby Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:00 pm
==pace bus almost runs over media==
LOL
They belong under the bus.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:01 pm
To bad so sad.
Rod will never understand.

Comment by Northside Bunker Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:03 pm
That really sucks. I was looking forward to seeing Blago take on Speidi.

Comment by DuPage Moderate Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:04 pm
I feel a VM “special” coming up, as soon as he can rhyme a famous tune with “Costa Rica”.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:12 pm
He’s passed the bar, he should represent himself and save the taxpayers some tax money. After all, the man of the people is all about helping save us money!

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:12 pm
Rich: I thought that Rod was going to ask that he be allowed to use his campaign funds to pay his lawyers. Why else would the big name lawyers who have come and gone have gotten involved in the first place?
Did the judge freeze his campaign fund?

Comment by Tom Joad Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:29 pm
Who’s paying for that Black SUV that keeps chauffeuring Rod around.
Does he own the vehicle? Is it a state vehicle?

Comment by Able One Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:38 pm
Public funds used to defend this vermin? What about his campaign warchest, isn’t there anything left there? How about some liens on his houses and other property that he and “potty mouth” Patty have “acquired” over the past decade?

Comment by JLP Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:43 pm
I believe WGN at noon said that IF Blago is allowed to use his campaign funds for attorney fees, the judge said those hourly rates for attorneys would be at the public defender hourly rate. $2 million in campaign funds isn’t going to go very far to pay legal fees. He’s probably racked up twice that already before Day 1 of the trial. A lien on his house and his DC apartment would be very appropriate. Also look into a Swiss bank account. I simply won’t believe this guy is broke.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:48 pm
===Is it a state vehicle? ===

Don’t be silly.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:49 pm
If its true that Judge Zagel stated that attorneys billing the campaign fund have to do so at the federal defender hourly rate, then they bill at $110 per hour.

Comment by paddyrollingstone Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 12:53 pm
Perhpas they could cut some sort of deal where he has to do stuff in a forest preserve in cook county instead of joining the rest of the gang in Costa Rica.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 1:03 pm
So he still doesn’t get it?

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 1:09 pm
Rod will be in prison and still won’t get it. Maybe the hair forms some kind of barrier….

Comment by Belle Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 1:20 pm
Maybe Patti can go in his place? Rod can stay home and take care of the girls, since Patti is out of work right now anyhow.

Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 1:46 pm
No mas, Senior Blagojevich!

Comment by If It Walks Like a Duck... Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 1:47 pm
little E: $2M/$110 per hour = about 18,181 billable hours.

That’s 2272 eight-hour days…enough to pay 43 attorneys for a full year. Assuming he won’t have that many…$2M would probably get him through the first trial, even with exorbitant billing.

Comment by Concerned Observer Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 2:03 pm
If exguv reps himself, he’ll first incorporate himself into a lawfirm so he can contract with it (himself) and bill the Defense Fund. Zagel way ahead of him, but at least he’ll have a “job”.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 2:10 pm
¡Costa Rica! (Guantanamera) - Joseíto Fernández enhanced by VanillaMan

Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crece la corrupción
Y antes de morirme quiero
Para prevenir mi deportación
¡Costa Rica!, ¡NO!, ¡Costa Rica!

Mi color predilecto es dólar verde
Y los ojos carmín encendido
Mi corazón es de un ciervo herido
Que busca en el monte amparo
¡Costa Rica!, ¡NO!, ¡Costa Rica!

Cultivo una mentira piadosa
Cada año de elección
Para el Democrats sincero
Quién me da su mano selección
Costa Rica!, que va, Costa Rica!

Y para el Juel cruel que me arranca
El corazon con que vivo
Cardo ni ortiga cultivo
Cultivo una mentira piadosa
¡Costa Rica!, ¡NO!, ¡Costa Rica!

Con los trabajadores de Illinois
Forzado a compartir mi destino
El malvado que me acusó
Levantará sus impuestos alto
¡Costa Rica!, ¡NO!, ¡Costa Rica!

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 2:25 pm
==”I don’t think this defendant in all honesty … fully understands the position he finds himself in.”==

That’s a very strong and revealing statement by Zagel, a sharp and sober man. To me, that amounts to a federal judge saying you’re nuts.

The sociopath theory, I believe, was first raised by Steve Brown, a very savvy observer of the human condition. I think Zagel just raised it again.

By the way, what’s a Pace bus doing in the Loop? Aren’t they all supposed to be empty, running back and forth between Lisle and Naperville?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 2:36 pm
I wonder - will RodB make one of his pithy comments once convicted/sentenced/incarcerated? “Basically, it is an up day” just won’t have the same ring. I am conflicted about the campaign cash use. I don’t want him to have access to it but I would rather not be paying for it either. I like what the Judge did. I wonder who will be willing to take on such a case for $110.00 per hour. I don’t think Big Jim Thompson will go for that. Nor will other former Assist US attorneys or other big players. It wouldn’t surprise me if RodB tried to hire himself as the attorney and get his mitts on the case.

Thankfully, he won’t be parachuting into Costa Rica. That would be too much. Great bit VM! My spanish is non-existent - howsabout a translation?

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 2:43 pm
$110 per hour

I am rather certain that even mediocre lawyers charge more than that for this sort of work.

Comment by Pat collins Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 3:05 pm
Pat, you’re right. Does anyone else get the feeling that cash-strapped Rod, with his law degree from Pepperdine, is going to petition to represent himself so he can bill the feds for a couple of years?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 3:10 pm
Concerned Observer
$2M/$110 per hour = about 18,181 billable hours (agreed).

That’s 2272 eight-hour days…enough to pay 43 attorneys for a full year. Assuming he won’t have that many…$2M would probably get him through the first trial, even with exorbitant billing (disagree).

Most attorneys on a high profile case will try their best to bill at least 10 hours daily. Let’s say there will be at least 5 attorneys working on the case = 250 billable hours weekly @$110/hr = $27,500/week. Let’s say there are 6 clerical/paralegals working 8 hour days on this at $55/hour on an 8 hour work week (240 hours) = $2,640/week for a total of $13,200/week for just ordinary legal expenses. Now let’s factor in copying expenses of up to $.25/page, specialists deciphering the tapes at $110/hr., expert witnesses at $500-$100/hr (a fee the government cannot control), their travel to and from and expenses while in Chicago (and they won’t stay at the Motel 6), you’re got money to cover at best 4-6 months. AND the clock has been running on these guys for close to a year now with no payment made to them at all thus far. The only ones who have gotten money from Blago has been Winston & Strawn. W&S’s expenses for George Ryan trial (pro bono) have been estimated in the range of $15 million. And you think $2 million will cover the first trial? Laughable.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 3:11 pm
VM, pura vida! You nailed the lyrics again. Are you going to translate for the gringos? Don’t deny them.

Comment by Zora Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 3:29 pm
Blago has to represent himself because his ego will force him to testify and he is the only lawyer nutty enough to allow it.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 3:42 pm
Little E — W&S weren’t exactly claiming the Public Defender’s salary when they considered their expenses. They were considering their regular price.

I’m also calling b-s on a paralegal making $55/hr. There are no paralegals making over $110K/yr, especially if they work for a lawyer who’s only making $110/hr.

But you’re right, my cost analysis was a little perfunctory. Ultimately, it probably won’t matter…they’ll freeze the campaign cash anyway.

Comment by Concerned Observer Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 3:42 pm
It’s too bad. I was looking forward to Blago doing something like this…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZGyN3M6H24&feature=related

Comment by Kevin Fanning Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 3:48 pm
VM, pura vida! You nailed the lyrics again. Are you going to translate for the gringos? Don’t deny them.

Thank you very much. Guantanamera is a beautiful song with beautiful lyrics. Rewriting it felt like painting a mustache on the Mona Lisa. I tried to keep some of it’s beauty, and the tenor of the song with the rewrite. I’ll try to translate for those without the ability to use a English/Spanish translation tool.

I am an honest man
From where corruption grows
And before dying they want
To prevent my deportation to.
Costa Rica! No! Costa Rica!

My favorite color is dollar green
And my eyes are flaming crimson
My heart is a wounded deer
Who seeks refuge in the woods in
Costa Rica! No! Costa Rica!

I cultivate a white lie
Every election year
For my Democratic friends
Who gives me their honest hands.
Costa Rica! No! Costa Rica!

And for the cruel Judge
who would tear out this heart with which I live
I do not cultivate nettles nor thistles
I cultivate a white lie
Costa Rica! No! Costa Rica!

With the working people of Illinois
Forced to share my fate
The wicked ones who impeached me
Will raise your taxes high
Costa Rica! No! Costa Rica!

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 4:02 pm
VM, that is really nice but it makes me sympathetic for the Blago, that poor wounded deer.
You would stick with the bad pop tunes for Blago-he doesn’t deserve this poetry.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 4:38 pm
Phineas-

Maybe you would prefer the Spanish version as mangled by the Babel Fish translator-

I am a sincere man Of where the corruption grows And before dying I want to me In order to prevent my deportation Costa Rica! , NO! , Costa Rica! My favorite color is green dollar and the eyes carmine ignited My heart is of a wounded red deer That looks for in the mount shelter Costa Rica! , NO! , Costa Rica! Culture a pious lie Every year of election For the sincere Democrats Who gives to its hand selection me Costa Rica! , that goes, Costa Rica! And for the cruel Juel that takes the alive heart to me whereupon Thistle nor nettle culture Culture a pious lie Costa Rica! , NO! , Costa Rica! With the workers of Forced Illinois to share my destiny The evildoer whom he accused to me He will raise his taxes high Costa Rica! , NO! , Costa Rica!

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 4:42 pm
Wow.
Thats not bad!

Very Rumsfeldian.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 5:01 pm
Concerned Observer, you are correct that a paralegal does not make $55 an hour. Neither does a clerical worker. But that’s what the law firm will be allowed to bill.

Also correct that W&S’s estimate to defend Ryan was WAY overestimated. They did that for tax purposes.

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 5:11 pm
I think Blagojevich understands exactly what is going and exactly what position he is in. We are just not comfortable with his apparent reactions to his situation. He is sane, and he knows the difference.

Comment by Captain Flume Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 5:26 pm
Maybe Disney could do a remake of “Peter Pan”.
Rod could play the lead by going around sprinkling “Fairy Dust” on everyone. Bet he misses flying around.

Comment by Northside Bunker Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 5:28 pm
Pity. Perhaps we could have lost him there. It would have been appropriate to have him play a bit part in a freak show.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Tuesday, Apr 21, 09 @ 6:31 pm