Blagojevich's lawyer quits impeachment trial

[BlueJessamine]

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

BY NATASHA KORECKI


Gov. Blagojevich’s lawyers will boycott the impeachment trial in the Senate later this month.

Lead defense lawyer Ed Genson said the governor instructed him not to show up.

“I think the rules the Senate adopted are unfair,” Genson said.

Lawyer Sam Adam Jr. said neither he nor his father will be there, either.

Genson, Adam and Sam Adam Sr. comprise the bulk the of governor’s legal team.

“It’s a kangaroo court,” Adam said. “You can’t possibly get any fairness out of it. It’s completely un-American.”

Adam said the trial was akin to a "lynching" and likened tactics by senators to those used at Guantanamo Bay. President-elect Barack Obama has said he plans to shutter the prison at Guantanamo Bay.

"He's closing Guantanamo, they're reopening it in Springfield," Adam said of the upcoming Senate trial.



Read more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1382305,blagojevich-lawyer-genson-trial-011609.article

[madinmaryland]

1. It's a boycott and not quitting.

[bemildred]

2. So apparently, the facts don't support an aquittal. nt

[kenny blankenship]

3. That gets a Traficant Award.

For baldfaced bullshittery.
Comparisons:"Kangaroo Court" check. "Lynching", check. "Guantanamo", check.

Oh yes, we have a winner!

[BlueJessamine]

4. In a statement, attorney Sam Adam and his son, -

Samuel E. Adam, said they couldn't in good conscience represent the governor in a Senate trial "without any due process of law, fundamental fairness or the most basic right to confront one's accusers."

"We cannot and will not degrade our client, ourselves, our oaths and our profession, as well as the office of the governor, by participating in a Potemkin-like lynching proceeding, thus making it appear that the governor is represented by competent counsel when in fact he is not," the statement said.

Edward Genson, another Blagojevich attorney, said he also is recusing himself from representing the governor before the Senate and agreed the trial would be unfair.

"I had never committed to the Senate trial, and I will not file an appearance," Genson said.

~snip~

The decision by Blagojevich's lawyers means they will withdraw from representing Blagojevich at only the Senate trial, not the criminal trial months from now at the Dirksen U. S. Courthouse, they said.

link:
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/01/blagojevich-lawyer-attorney-genson-adam.html

[bemildred]

5. Gov.'s former fundraiser admits to tax charges

CHICAGO - Impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich's former chief fundraiser pleaded guilty Friday to obstructing federal tax collectors by using corporate funds and money from third parties to pay thousands of dollars in gambling debts and personal expenses.

Christopher G. Kelly, 50, a south suburban roofer who formerly headed the Friends of Rod Blagojevich campaign fund, also pleaded guilty to structuring financial transactions to hide them from the federal government.

In his 27-page plea agreement, Kelly admitted underreporting five years of income received by two businesses by a total of $496,358.

Kelly was a member of Blagojevich's inner circle as the governor set out on a course of corruption prosecutors say included using his office to squeeze companies and individuals seeking state business for campaign contributions and payoffs.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-illinoisgovernor-fund,0,1220241.story

[IsItJustMe]

6. I don't know the rules. They probably make it up as they go though I suspect.

[bemildred]

7. The Senate can do whatever they like.

They have arbitrary power, if they choose to use it. There is no appeal.

[smorgma]

8. Democrats MUST reject that sham process...

No matter how much we hate Blago, Illinois has engaged in a shameful process. No wonder the state is so corrupt. The house dug up stuff to use for the process -- and did not really focus on the criminal complaint -- which itself is just a set of unproven allegations. The panel agreed not to call witnesses who were allegedly part of the "dealmaking" that Blago wanted to engage in. And the committee chair had the audacity to imply that Blago's failure to testify (even though he could not bring witnesses) implied his guilt -- despite the fact that prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation against him. This sham process undermines Democratic values. You do not have to embrace Blago in order to disagree with the process -- just like you do not have to agree with criminals to believe they are entitled to a fair trial!

Earth to Illinois: Even Allegedly Corrupt and Unpopular Governors Deserve More Than Kangaroo Justice!

[davsand]

11. Illinois Democrats reject Blago--period.

Impeach the asshole and do it now!!!

He's reaping his own harvest of bad politics and personal corruption. He has screwed this state and our Dem party for too long as it is, plus his actions have put several prominent minority IL Dems under a suspicion they may never escape.

The only thing I reject is folks who do not live in Illinois telling us how we "have" to think about our failed Governor.

YMMV.


Laura

[raging_moderate]

9. historic defense tactic

It's a famous historic defense tactic, best exemplified in the movie Animal House....." we're not going to sit here while you bad mouth the United States of America!!"

[davsand]

10. "...akin to a "lynching" and likened tactics by senators to those used at Guantanamo Bay."

As unpopular as Blag has made himself with the rest of the IL Dems, I have no doubt the trial will be an unpleasant one. I DO, however doubt they are gonna attempt to beat a confession out of Blag or his lawyers a la Gitmo.

That freak show just keeps on rolling. Blag and his lawyers seem to have forgotten that an impeachment is a POLITICAL activity rather than a criminal one. He is "entitled" to whatever concessions they are willing to grant him--period.

I bet the memory of his past history with the IL legislature is starting to make him squirm just a bit now that they get to grill him in public.


:evilgrin:


I have zero sympathy for that putz.


Laura

[jazzjunkysue]

12. Michael Jackson would get sick and then show up in pajamas.

I don't remember what OJ did.

You know, at least Martha Stewart faced it all like a grown up.

[Piewhacket]

13. Pretend you still have some dignity, Blago. Resign.

Your appointment of Burris sealed your fate.
You should have taken my advice on that.

It takes 40 Illinois State Senators to remove you, Govenor.
19 must vote in your favor or abstain.
I doubt you will get even one vote.
Fool, don't you understand? You are going under the bus.

Resign. That is all that is left for you.
Pretend you have some dignity left.
Keep that illusion, at least.
Resign.

[Frank Booth]

14. Right on!

The state senators are just jealous because they'll never have Blago's great hair.

[ConcernedCanuk]

15. "It’s completely un-American.” - yeah right - lies and torture are REAL USAmerican

,
,
,

[No Elephants]

16. Blago should resign. He is going to get impeached anyway and his political

career is history. The only thing he can hope to do is keep himself out of federal prison. He should devote his legal fund, time and energy to that, rather than risk messing up his federal case by saying something off the mark in the impeachment.