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Last time we checked, mega-lobbyist John Wyma was representing a company that stood to benefit handsomely from the governor’s proposed Keno game.
Now, he’s caught in a story about an interesting little fundraiser that I reported on in Wednesday’s Capitol Fax.
A firm that could cash in on the state’s All Kids health insurance program is represented by a former top aide to Gov. Blagojevich and gave the governor $100,000 shortly after he signed the highly touted plan into law.
Florida-based WellCare Health Plans Inc. hired John Wyma, the governor’s former congressional chief of staff, as its lobbyist. Wyma was at the center of controversy last month when two of his other clients stood to be enriched by Blagojevich’s bid to legalize keno wagering.
WellCare and its subsidiaries made five separate $20,000 contributions to the governor’s political fund last November, campaign records show. Those donations came six days after Blagojevich signed All Kids, one of his most cherished legislative trophies.
“You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to say this looks fishy,” said Cindi Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.
The Tribune correctly noted that the contribution was “significant in size even for a prolific fundraiser like Blagojevich.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 7:54 am
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Politics as usual. Illinois ain’t ready for reform yet.
Comment by Anon Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 8:04 am
Harmony HMO has a documented record of gouging the Medicaid program for excessive administrative costs and was in danger of losing it’s Medicaid business. HFS was seriously contemplating ending their contract about that time. My guess is the payoff, I mean campaign contribution, was more likely needed to retain existing state business for Harmony than it was to get new business under the AllKids proposal.
Comment by Need to dig deeper Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 8:20 am
What else is new.That is all the governor has done since he has been in office.Once sgain he shows us how he can make Ryan look like a shoplifter at Walmart.This man needs removed from office as soon as possible.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 8:30 am
I agree with DOWNSTATE to some extent. Someone needs to be removed from the Office of the Governor as soon as possible or Blagojevich will be indicted.
From newspaper articles day after day after day, we see nothing but corruption. When George Ryan was in office, we didn’t see this much about George prior to the FBI’s initiation of an investigation into him. We didn’t read stories day after day as we read about this Governor and his administration.
Some changes need to be in the Office of the Governor real soon or he’ll not see another re-election but he’ll recieve an indictment.
Something really stinks about the Governor’s Office and the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
My question is:
Was New Yorks Mayor Micheal Bloomberg’s mayoral office ran the same?
Comment by ONEMANCANMAKEADIFFERENCE Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 9:47 am
I don’t see the need to say “someone” in the Office of the Governor needs to be removed. They all need to be removed - top to bottom. I know GRod isn’t the brightest politician, but if he doesn’t *know* where his campaign money is comiing from, then I am the tooth fairy.
It is unfortunate, but these reports pop up so frequently they are beginning to seem like old news.
Comment by Papa Legba Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 10:20 am
Now, now, we all knew that Allkids was going to benefit somebody in addition to the 5% of Illinois kids who allegedly lack health insurance. And we knew it wasn’t going to be us taxpayers. We’re always the marks, not the beneficiaries for Blago’s social programs.
Comment by Cassandra Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 11:20 am
Is it possible that Blago will see the light and not run — for health reason. Matters are piling up for the repubs to bring up after the primary.
Comment by Truthful James Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 12:08 pm
This man, the Governor has no shame. He will do anything to win office. Next thing he will say its the Republican Right Wingers, bla, bla, bla
Rod is the scum of the earth.
Comment by HST Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 1:40 pm
There will be lots of administrative contracts and commissions involved. This is insurance. Let’s see if IDFPR keeps a close watch.
Comment by Mr. Ethics Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 3:08 pm
And it just keeps rolling.Ryan gave out 75 million in no bid contracts.Blago has gave out 384 in no bid contracts and most has went to his supporters.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 3:38 pm
Any wonder that Milorad is afraid to debate? The questioner could do an hour just going thru all the sketchy deals alone.
Comment by Fighting Ennui Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 5:46 pm
The Governor will not debate because he is a coward and an empty shirt.
Comment by Wolf J. Flywheel Friday, Feb 3, 06 @ 9:16 pm
I just don’t understand how anyone can cast a ballot for Blagojevich at this point! He can’t be trusted. We should have figured that out when he turned his back on the very people that got him elected. He turned is back on Southern Illinois!! Could someone please start asking Mr. Obama…champion of ethics reform in Washington what he thinks of the mess in his home state!!
Comment by R. Green Saturday, Feb 4, 06 @ 8:22 am
There are alarming parallels between the DC lobbying scandals and these sorts of stories about the Blagojevich administration. Sunday’s New York Times has an interesting article about congressional aides cashing in with fat K Street contracts.
It seems Mr. Wyma (and, to a lesser extent, Mr. Scofield) have learned a thing or two from their GOP peers during their time on the Hill.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Sunday, Feb 5, 06 @ 6:17 pm