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As promised, here is the link to the ABC- I-Team story about the governor’s security detail, which included such delectable moments like state troopers carrying the governor’s hair brush and handing out candy to trick-or-treaters at the guv’s home.
I gave you most of the details in today’s fax, but here’s an enlightening section:
“They don’t know what they’re doing…there’s no need for that many people,” said Larry Esper, former governor bodyguard.Larry Esper spent 34-years as an Illinois state trooper, most recently on the governor’s detail. He was what’s known as “the body” for former Governor George Ryan. The body is the closest guard to the governor.
“I’m a trained, experienced officer in executive protection,” said Esper.
Esper says the day after Rod Blagojevich was sworn in, most of what is officially called the Executive Protection Unit, was quickly replaced.
“That’s why I often refer to it as the bloodbath. I was banished to a desk inside the mansion to assist the mansion secretary in answering the telephone,” said Esper.
A spokeswoman for the governor contends Esper and some other former bodyguards are just angry because their overtime pay was cut by Blagojevich’s spending restraints .
In a written statement, the administration cites a “common practice” for new governors to “replace” security “from top to bottom.” But police sources say that wasn’t the case in-between governor’s Walker, Thompson, Edgar and Ryan and that the last four governors kept most.
“The old guard is gone…this has regressed into a political party kind of maneuver,” said Esper.
Esper and several current state troopers claim that newly assigned bodyguards lack the judgment and on-the-job training of those they replaced.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 23, 04 @ 4:08 am
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Rod was right…no business as usual in Springfield
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 23, 04 @ 3:08 pm