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* A confidential report says the former guv had a substance abuse problem….
A probation report says ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich may be a “ripe candidate’’ for a drug treatment program in prison.
That’s according to defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky, who says he doesn’t know what Blagojevich said to a probation officer to lead to that conclusion.
Judge James Zagel has agreed to recommend Blagojevich for a drug treatment program when he starts his 14-year prison sentence for corruption in March.
More…
A prisons spokesman told the Sun-Times last week there typically has to be a documented history of abuse for an inmate to qualify.
[Blagojevich attorney Shelly Sorosky] said there is documentation. […]
The report came after a summer interview between Blagojevich and a probation officer, Sorosky said. Sorosky said he did not know the nature of what Blagojevich told the probation officer about substance abuse at the time — a few weeks after his June conviction — but it caused a recommendation to the judge.
I never saw the governor drink more than a tiny bit of alcohol, but, then again, I wasn’t around him that much in the evenings.
A successful completion of the program could shave a year off his sentence and allow him to go to a halfway house six months before the end of that sentence.
* Meanwhile, I can’t disagree with Scott Reeder’s conclusion…
Blagojevich soon will leave for prison, but the most lasting scars he left on the state may have nothing to with his criminality.
Amen.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:18 pm
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20 years in politics in the 3rd biggest city in the country plus these federal investigations and no one knew he had a problem?
Comment by shore Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:26 pm
shore, there was plenty of speculation, but little beyond that. Not even a hard rumor.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:31 pm
While substance abuse is no laughing matter, this definitely has to raise a few eyebrows. Seems like a cheap trick to try and knock a year off the sentence. Something like this would have had to be known by now. If it is a serious problem, then it’s good he will finally get the help he needs. But if it’s a trick, it’s to be expected from someone like him.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:36 pm
Why should anyone beleive him now? Blago is a documented convicted liar. I still do not understand why he is not behind bars, his buddy Tony R sat for 3 years waiting to be sentenced. The sooner he is locked up the sooner we will forget about him.
Comment by Dan Shields, Springfield, IL Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:36 pm
I seem to recall a video of Blago at Wrigley looking hammered on alcohol.
I mean it’s Wrigley. It’s not like he went there for the professional baseball.
Maybe my memory is wrong. I’m overcaffeinated at the moment.
Comment by IrishPirate Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:41 pm
I can say that there was never even a ripple of a rumor about drug abuse. A hair follicle test will tell what he is using, if anything. He probably does need counseling, but I am not sure that drug treatment, is it.
As for Scott Fawell, I often heard that he was using.
Comment by PPHS Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:42 pm
===but the most lasting scars he left on the state may have nothing to with his criminality===
From the comments here after Rod was sentenced it seemed obvious that many of the commentator’s desires for a long sentence had more to do with these “lasting scars” rather than his crimes.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:46 pm
Given the former Govenor’s unabashed embrace of doing publicly foolish stunts post-impeachment, “confessing” to a substance abuse problem seems like another stunt meant to engender public attention and sympathy. He sure is a “fighter” but no Cool Hand Luke.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:49 pm
Why, on earth, wouldn’t he have raised this as part of his defense, or even during sentencing?
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 2:50 pm
This is a real head scratcher. On one hand his pattern of lies is so apparent that it’s hard to believe anything he says. Ont he other, his behavior certianly allows the possibility that he has some sort of mental issue, possibly caused by drugs.
Also, drug addiction isn’t what it used to be. You don’t have to be scoring street dope in an ally to be an addict today. Some of the most powerful and abused drugs are readily avalible from a doctor.
Comment by no doubt Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:04 pm
You have to admire the man’s relentless angling.
Comment by Solomon Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:07 pm
Some here have suggested that RB suffers from a variety of personality disorders such as narcissistic personality disorder or anti-social personality disorder. A feature of these disorders is a lack of insight into the disorder and the effects on others. It could be suggested that RB would not be able to complete the program successfully but then, Scott Fawell passed so he has that going for him.
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:13 pm
Have any of you ever known a pathological liar? That would be my guess, with Blago.
Comment by PPHS Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:14 pm
It wouldn’t surprise me if the next thing he tells the judge is that he’s a cross dresser and needs to spend half of his time in a women’s prison. He has no shame.
Comment by And I Approved This Message Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:15 pm
I pity the inmates that will have to sit through group therapy sessions with him.
Comment by Stooges Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:24 pm
In the world of substance abuse counseling, it’s not that hard to qualify as having a “problem,” whether it’s booze, tobacco, blow, weed, or prescription drugs.
It doesn’t have to be terribly severe, climbing the walls, wrecking cars, etc. If it’s ever caused you a problem at home or work, or you felt a need to partake, then you might have a problem.
Substance abuse counselors have to make a living, too. If people don’t have problems, well…
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:45 pm
If the Federal Probation guys recommend it, you know there is some basis. They are no fools. Plus substance abuse is a far greater issue than booze or illegals and going into club fed limits your access to meds many of us may take daily.
Comment by D.P. Gumby Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 3:53 pm
It just smells of a blantant attempt to shave time off his sentence to me. Perhaps he had a drink or two from time to time but being known as a guy who got up in the morning and went for a run it doesn’t seem to be too debilitating to me.
Coming from Blago I don’t know what to believe.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 4:04 pm
Looks like Blago will continue to game the system forever.
Comment by sal-says Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 4:07 pm
Actually, D.P., it’s quite east to get such a recommendation. During the PSR interview the client states that he started using x at such and such age and claims an increase in use. When the PO asks “do you think you have a problem and want treatment” he answers yes. The PO will then “confirm” this by asking a relative (I.e Patty) who had already been advised that a drug/alcohol problem will shave time.
The PO does not ask friends or colleagues unsolicited to confirm this. They don’t “investigate” the claim.
I say this with over a decade of having clients qualify or the program.
Comment by Edison Parker Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 4:27 pm
Maybe he is suffering from elvisolism.
Comment by jt Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 4:29 pm
Blagojevich and his lawyers tried every trick in the book to delay, force a mistrial and tried to prove his innocence by having him lie on the stand. Is it any real surprise they will look for every excuse to delay and shorten his prison term?
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 4:31 pm
A rip-roaring substance abuse problem would sure explain a lot. Might even allow him to get a small sliver of redemption in the eyes of all of us (many years down the road, of course, when time has glossed over our fresh memories of the craziness).
Comment by TwoFeetThick Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 4:47 pm
You just need to consume five drinks per week to qualify for substance-abuse treatment. What percentage of the public would meet that standard?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 5:18 pm
A few years ago in this blog, I suggested that then-Governor Blagoejevich’s behavior was consistent with the psychological symptoms associated with steroid abuse. Not only were the symptoms consistent with that, but that would explain why his behavior as Governor was so different from what was expected by people who had known him well before he became Governor. I will be curious to see if that is the basis for what is happening now.
Comment by jake Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 6:04 pm
Or better yet, what percentage of the legislature would meet that standard??
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 6:04 pm
I have checked and re-checked my DVR, and Jon Stewart either has bigger fish to fry, or is showing some pity, but he has not said a thing about Blago since his conviction. Most of the late night comics apparently have checked their fire, though Letterman did a top ten about the sentence. I’m a little surprised by that lack of follow-thru at this stage. They kicked Rod a lot more and harder when he was just under suspicion and during the trial. I really expected one more round of satirical dressing-down after the sentencing.
Comment by Gregor Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 6:36 pm
My gut tells me this is a con. The guy is going inside. I don’t think he can handle the structure. He couldn’t even go to work for cripes sake. I’m thinking Patty has been running the show for awhile now.
Comment by Way Way Down Here Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 7:31 pm
BS. That’s all I’m saying. No one who jogs this much is that big of a drug user.
Comment by Fred Thursday, Dec 15, 11 @ 10:53 pm
Re “BS. That’s all I’m saying. No one who jogs this much is that big of a drug user.”
Unless it is anabolic steroids that he was abusing, which have the effect of enhancing physical strength and endurance, but introduce bad psychological effects, like a feeling of indestructibility, aggressiveness, delusions of grandeur, etc.—just the characteristics that he displayed.
Comment by jake Friday, Dec 16, 11 @ 12:55 am
This makes since. Blago rarely showing up to Springfield exihibits he may have had an addiction problem, and having aides having to call him regarding state business. Please give Blago the benefit of the doubt regarding this issue. One day at a time RB.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 16, 11 @ 3:08 am