Allegations Against Illinois Governor Probed

[Freddie Stubbs]

State Investigation Into Appointments-For-Contributions Allegation Against Ill. Governor Starts

The Associated Press

Jan. 14, 2005 - Authorities have opened an investigation into allegations by Gov. Rod Blagojevich's father-in-law that a Blagojevich adviser traded government appointments for campaign contributions.

Blagojevich, meanwhile, challenged his wife Patti's father, Chicago Alderman Richard Mell, to back up his claims, which the governor said were false and reckless.

State Attorney General Lisa Madigan requested information on the allegations from Blagojevich in a Jan. 10 letter, a Madigan spokeswoman said, declining to comment further.

Cook County State's Attorney Richard Devine is "mutually reviewing pertinent materials with regard to the allegations," a spokesman said.

more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=411255

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. Here we go...

throw the scandals out there and see what sticks! It looks like Lisa Madigan's setting her sights on the gubernatorial ticket.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Blago's father-in-law is working with Madigan?

:shrug:

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. 'tongue in cheek'

remark. No, I don't think they are working together to undermine a Blago run with a pre-emptive hit. I DO, however, think that Lisa Madigan is trying to take advantage of the opportunity presented.

[Tweed]

4. Yikes, this story has legs

All this talk can't be good for Blago. This could get ugly.

[laylah]

5. One can only hope...

as I have (nauseatingly) repeated numerous times, the guy is a liar and a fraud. I would celebrate his fall from grace.

Jenn

[Tweed]

6. Who would you have replace him?

[laylah]

8. I believe we have discussed this

on another thread. Lane Evans would be my first choice; however, his health would be too much of an issue. That said, someone NOT from Chicago, someone who walks the walk, and talks the talk. Someone from down-state with at least a shred of decency left. A wo/man who is sincere, honorable, and has her/his constinuency's best interest as top priority. A person who has integrity. OOOOPS, sorry, forgot, I'm in Illinois. I know there HAS to be such a person here. A DUer?

I don't know Tweed. What I do know is that my experiences with this current administration has turned me into one ugly person, having allowed them to shatter my spirit...becoming a shadow of my former self...displaying and feeling things I never thought possible.

Jenn

[Radical Activist]

7. Giving out state jobs in exchange for political favors...

in Illinois?! Who could believe such a thing happens here?! I'm sure Mike Madigan wouldn't know anything about that. :shrug:
*yes, this is sarcasm*

[davsand]

10. I might not find that so funny except for Blag's big "ethics" show.

After all the hoopla about ethics early on in Blag's administration, I have got to admit I find this all really laughable--just about like a screen door in a submarine.

If you remember it, the ethics bill was making headlines right about the time the Dems were trying to work a deal with the GOP to dismiss Jesse White's campaign reporting fines in return for letting Bush on the ballot for the General Election.

Part of what makes this so fascinating too, is the realization that part of the problems Blag has downstate are because he didn't come up with enough Dem jobs to keep the county party chairs happy.

I know of at least one good Dem county that is majorly pissed at Blag and it is almost exclusively because of jobs for Dems. I have talked to a few other folks and there are at least two or three more where Blag is not on good terms but is not exactly in danger.

I have got to wonder what Madigan is thinking here. Surely he has got to realize that weakening Blag only hurts the Dem party in this state. I can see him working hell out of somebody in a primary, but I just can't understand his open attack on Blag. Slash and burn is just bad planning in a primary/family fight.


Laura

[seventythree]

11. and I know a few more counties

but they would have to prove a quid pro quo, IMO. I mean holey moley ever see what an ambassador coughs up? I think Mell is over stating -- from time immemorial the good stuff goes to the high dollar supporters -- in every state, and in the country.

[seventythree]

13. Explain the Jessie White thing, if you would

I had never heard that there was a trade off to get Bush on the ballot and always wondered how we let him on.

[davsand]

14. Jesse White had multiple filing/ reporting violations.

I'm working from memory here--the search function here at DU is not working currently.

There was a big hoo-haw about the whole debate to let the GOP put the asswipe on the ballot. There was a deal that was cut that forgave campaign filing violations for specific folks--Jesse White being one of the biggest offenders--in return for the Dems allowing Bush onto the ballot.

Additionally, there was some funding in there for Chicago to help buy out the pension mess that Daley was in.

From what I remember, the deal blew up at the last minute and it was something the GOP did. I remember joking that the cost of a ballot spot had just increased a huge amount due to the GOP screw up. I also remember that it was discussed here on DU, but I am darned if I can find it here in the Illinois forum--which means it is probably in the GD archives.

Anyhow, to get back to Jesse White, from what I can remember, his big violations were filing late on some of his forms--stuff that costs money but really doesn't carry any weight when it comes to scandal-mongers.

I was especially bemused by the fact that WHILE they were trumpeting the Blagojevich ethics bill, they were negotiating to remove fines for campaign violations--in return for ignoring the Illinois Election Codes. It struck a rather ironic note for me.

I'll search for that thread when we have search feature back up--it spoke volumes about Illinois politics and just how stanky they can be.


Laura

[seventythree]

15. thanks

I must have been taking one of political hiatuses -- I do that sometimes when I've had more than I can take

[Walt Starr]

9. If Madigan challenges Blagojevich in the primary

there will be only one way for the Democrats to hold onto the governor's seat. Madigan must win the primary.

Blagojevich could end up more tanted than George Ryan was. This could be bad news for the Illinois Democrats and the winner in the end would be Judy Baar Topinka.

[seventythree]

12. George's machinations killed 6 kids

in Rod's wildest dreams, he could not be as bad.