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* Tribune…
In a 90-minute hearing, attorneys for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission took a three-member panel that will decide the status of Blagojevich’s license through his worst hits as governor, including his convictions for attempting to sell a U.S. Senate seat, shaking down the CEO of a children’s hospital for campaign cash and lying to the FBI.
“As governor, (Blagojevich) had the responsibility to do what was right for the people of Illinois,” ARDC attorney Christopher Heredia said. “Instead, he only did what was right by himself. […]
Blagojevich’s longtime attorney, Sheldon Sorosky, said the ex-governor was in a “damned if he did, damned if he didn’t” situation in defending his law license, knowing that if he showed up to defend himself he would have been accused of lying all over again.
Sorosky also trotted out familiar lines in his argument, blaming the media for overemphasizing the FBI recordings that captured Blagojevich’s schemes, and saying the governor’s campaign fundraising and political horsetrading were well within legal bounds.
He would have accurately been accused of lying all over again. Fixed it for you, Sheldon. And a federal jury, a federal appellate court and the US Supreme Court all believed his actions were well outside legal bounds.
* Daily Herald…
The Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission issued no ruling Tuesday.
Blagojevich, 63, wasn’t at the hearing in Chicago, leading Christopher Heredia to complain about the former governor’s “dismissive attitude” toward the proceedings.
This is all a formality. He’s losing his license and he knows it.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:15 pm
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He’s losing his license and he knows it.
Yes he does and his only play is to try and act like a victim again. It’s amazing how all of the storys since he has been out avoid the shake down of a children’s hospital for campaign cash. That doesn’t fit with his victim image so it’s not briught up
Comment by SOIL M Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:21 pm
“He’s losing his license and he knows it.”
He deserves to lose his license and he knows it.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:22 pm
When was Rod a lawyer? Who’d want him for a lawyer?
Comment by Tom Willis Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:27 pm
As much as it’s symbolic or real, the man I won’t name anymore needs to realize practicing law is not an option because he isn’t allowed to practice law because of what he did.
I feel it’s almost a denial, if you will.
If he attended, then it’s real again. Not attending, not contesting, it’s as though it’s not real, not happening, another denial of his own reality.
The Illinois bar is better without him as a member, and removed from doing so too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:28 pm
Yes, his chances of avoiding disbarment were slim and none to begin with, and not showing up and not being repentant makes it an easy decision. The fact that he was convicted of these offenses was enough, he can’t re-try it before the ARDC. From the most recent ARDC hearing opinion issued: “An attorney’s failure to cooperate in his own disciplinary proceeding demonstrates indifference toward or contempt for the disciplinary process and calls into question his ability to represent clients in a responsible and conscientious manner.”
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:29 pm
=blaming the media for overemphasizing the FBI recordings that captured Blagojevich’s schemes=
What does this even mean? The beauty of the tapes is that they speak for themselves. He was done in by his own deeds and words, not the media’s.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:32 pm
Serious Question: Why didn’t he lose it before he went to jail? Why did they wait until he got out?
I just assumed he lost it a long time ago.
Comment by ChrisB Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:41 pm
In a bizarre alternate universe, Rod appears before the Commission himself and asks the ARDC for mercy so that he can work again and take care of his family.
“I made many mistakes as Governor. I let the people down. I misused my power and I deserved to be convicted because what I did was wrong. I knew that then, and it is still true today. One of the many things I discovered in prison is how many inmates are in desperate need of legal counsel. They are mostly poor and under-educated. I used my time inside to help as many as I could to file appeals, to request hearings, with child custody and so many other legal issues facing my fellow inmates. The criminal justice system is racist and corrupt and we need more attorneys fighting for the rights of the marginalized and those in prison. I know this now, and if you grant my request to keep my law license, I promise you I will work tirelessly to help those in need pro bono. I am a new man, a changed man, and I want to dedicate my remaining years to the purest practice of law that I can: to defend the defenseless.”
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:42 pm
It’s obvious after appearing on Anderson Cooper that Blagojevich is a lost ball in high grass.
Comment by Anderson Coopers hair Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:42 pm
See Rule 8.4 of the attorney code of conduct.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:46 pm
I have the same question as ChrisB. I was shocked to learn he still has his law license.
Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:49 pm
–Serious Question: Why didn’t he lose it before he went to jail? Why did they wait until he got out?–
He has been suspended pending further order of the IL Supreme Court since 2011. I think the fact that the formal complaint was just brought last year had to do with the fact that his appeals were not exhausted until 2018, and because frankly he was incarcerated and no threat to the public. The complaint was filed around August of last year, right around the first serious talk of commutation.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:53 pm
=It’s obvious after appearing on Anderson Cooper that Blagojevich is a lost ball in high grass.=
If you using a golf ball analogy, he is in a plugged lie and unplayable.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 2:54 pm
===As governor, (Blagojevich) had the responsibility to do what was right for the people of Illinois,” ARDC attorney Christopher Heredia said. “Instead, he only did what was right by himself. ===
Hence the comparisons to his pardoner, Donald Trump.
Comment by Boone's is Back Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 3:02 pm
Well at least he had his license while incarcerated giving humorous meaning to Jail house lawyer
Comment by Sue Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 3:07 pm
–Serious Question: Why didn’t he lose it before he went to jail? Why did they wait until he got out?–
ARDC usually does not start disbarment proceedings against a convicted attorney until all appeals have been exhausted. He would have been better off doing disbarment on consent and sparing himself another beating.
Comment by SouthSide Markie Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 3:11 pm
-He would have been better off doing disbarment on consent.-
Too honorable for him. Also would have denied him sending his mouthpiece in front of the cameras at the hearing.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 3:12 pm
Thanks for answering Ron and Markie.
I assumed it probably had something to do with exhausting appeals, but was still surprised he had it.
Comment by ChrisB Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 3:17 pm
To be clear, the ARDC requested and the Supreme Court suspended his law license years ago. This is now finalizing things. You can look up his information at www.iardc.org. Just search his name (or any other lawyer).
Comment by A Lawyer Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 3:32 pm
To be clear, that’s not how it works at all. Today was the trial of the matter.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 3:39 pm
When asked about losing his license, Blago would just say “It’s all good man.”
Comment by Henry Francis Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 3:46 pm
but overall “is was an up day”.
Comment by The Bashful Raconteur Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 4:03 pm
Here’s a good explanation of interim suspensions: http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Media/enews/2019/092319_ARDC.asp
From the article: Interim suspensions provide a mechanism for the Supreme Court to help protect the public and the profession when there is good reason to believe that an attorney might cause harm during the pendency of disciplinary proceedings or when the egregious nature of an attorney’s
actions would bring the legal profession into disrepute in the eyes of the public if not addressed immediately. It is a tool that is selectively used but one that serves a purpose central to the Illinois Supreme Court’s plenary jurisdiction over the practice of law.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 4:15 pm
=He would have been better off doing disbarment on consent and sparing himself another beating.=
Well in his defense he’s a professional victim and beatings are his brand.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Feb 25, 20 @ 6:26 pm
Well, he’s got to find another way to make a living. Can’t do that practicing law at this point?
I wanted to ask why did he bother with this exercise, but there’s no point.
Comment by Levois J Wednesday, Feb 26, 20 @ 1:23 pm