Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Posted Image
Welcome to Nexus Trek

We are a message board community filled with members from several different Star Trek
sites. Come talk about Trek, other Sci Fi or whatever interests you!

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board
and cannot join in on the fun. Registering will only take a minute and once approved you can

  • customize your profile
  • Send personal messages
  • Vote in polls
  • Start and post in topics

Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.

Join our community!
If you have any trouble registering please email us @ nexustrek@yahoo.com


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Blagojevich arrested...; Tried to sell Obama's Seat...
Topic Started: Dec 10 2008, 06:07 AM (345 Views)
Kosh131
Member Avatar
Vorlon Ambassador
So, the real question is, did they pull the investigation before it implicated Obama?


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122883415161091395.html

CHICAGO -- Federal agents arrested Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and a senior aide Tuesday for what prosecutors described as a political-corruption crime spree, including allegations they tried to sell the Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama.

The arrests of Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, and his chief of staff, John Harris, opened a new chapter in a state with a long history of wrongdoing by elected officials. Mr. Blagojevich (Blah-GOY-uh-vitch), 51 years old, and chief of staff John Harris, 46, were each charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery.

Unveiling the federal criminal complaint at a news conference, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said Mr. Blagojevich had "taken the state to a new low."

The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," Mr. Fitzgerald said. "They allege that Blagojevich put a for-sale sign on the naming of a United States senator."

The arrests came five years after federal authorities began investigating Mr. Blagojevich's alleged fund-raising and influence-peddling schemes. For the past two months, investigators have been listening on wiretaps to profanity-laced conversations about the governor's alleged plans to profit from his authority. "I want to make money," he said in one conversation, according to a 76-page federal affidavit.

The allegations suggest a breathtaking degree of brazenness on the part of the Illinois governor, who first won office in 2002 as a reformer and, according to the government affidavit, appeared to have continued to talk of his schemes by telephone after the Chicago Tribune reported Friday the phone lines had been tapped. On Monday, Mr. Blagojevich told reporters, "If anyone wants to tape my conversations, go right ahead."

The Associated Press reported that the governor's attorney, Sheldon Sorosky, said he didn't know of any immediate plans for the governor to resign. He said Mr. Blagojevich believes he didn't do anything wrong.

Federal investigators alleged they overheard the governor in the secretly taped conversations plotting to trade or sell the Senate seat being vacated by Mr. Obama. As governor, Mr. Blagojevich is authorized to name a new senator to fill the two years remaining in Mr. Obama's term.

The government alleged Mr. Blagojevich spoke of naming a Senate candidate favorable to Mr. Obama in exchange for receiving favors from a third party: a job at an organization affiliated with a labor union; a cabinet post or ambassadorship; cash or campaign funds; and a slot for his wife, Patti, on a corporate board that could have paid her as much as $150,000 a year.

Mr. Fitzgerald told reporters he felt compelled to act this week because of "lot of things going on that were imminent," including legislation awaiting the governor's signature that was allegedly being held, pending a potentially illegal payment to Mr. Blagojevich.

Understanding is a three-edged sword.
Offline
 
Moon
Member Avatar
How's Your Gapping Pu$$y, Kai?
Movie Era Rear Admiral
Kosh131
Dec 10 2008, 06:07 AM
So, the real question is, did they pull the investigation before it implicated Obama?


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122883415161091395.html

CHICAGO -- Federal agents arrested Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and a senior aide Tuesday for what prosecutors described as a political-corruption crime spree, including allegations they tried to sell the Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama.

The arrests of Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, and his chief of staff, John Harris, opened a new chapter in a state with a long history of wrongdoing by elected officials. Mr. Blagojevich (Blah-GOY-uh-vitch), 51 years old, and chief of staff John Harris, 46, were each charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery.

Unveiling the federal criminal complaint at a news conference, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said Mr. Blagojevich had "taken the state to a new low."

The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," Mr. Fitzgerald said. "They allege that Blagojevich put a for-sale sign on the naming of a United States senator."

The arrests came five years after federal authorities began investigating Mr. Blagojevich's alleged fund-raising and influence-peddling schemes. For the past two months, investigators have been listening on wiretaps to profanity-laced conversations about the governor's alleged plans to profit from his authority. "I want to make money," he said in one conversation, according to a 76-page federal affidavit.

The allegations suggest a breathtaking degree of brazenness on the part of the Illinois governor, who first won office in 2002 as a reformer and, according to the government affidavit, appeared to have continued to talk of his schemes by telephone after the Chicago Tribune reported Friday the phone lines had been tapped. On Monday, Mr. Blagojevich told reporters, "If anyone wants to tape my conversations, go right ahead."

The Associated Press reported that the governor's attorney, Sheldon Sorosky, said he didn't know of any immediate plans for the governor to resign. He said Mr. Blagojevich believes he didn't do anything wrong.

Federal investigators alleged they overheard the governor in the secretly taped conversations plotting to trade or sell the Senate seat being vacated by Mr. Obama. As governor, Mr. Blagojevich is authorized to name a new senator to fill the two years remaining in Mr. Obama's term.

The government alleged Mr. Blagojevich spoke of naming a Senate candidate favorable to Mr. Obama in exchange for receiving favors from a third party: a job at an organization affiliated with a labor union; a cabinet post or ambassadorship; cash or campaign funds; and a slot for his wife, Patti, on a corporate board that could have paid her as much as $150,000 a year.

Mr. Fitzgerald told reporters he felt compelled to act this week because of "lot of things going on that were imminent," including legislation awaiting the governor's signature that was allegedly being held, pending a potentially illegal payment to Mr. Blagojevich.

As most of the people I know in the FBI were strongly AGAINST Obama, I highly doubt it.
Posted Image
Offline
 
MeliKoritsi
Member Avatar
L'Étoile du Nord

I believe I saw on CNN yesterday, that Obama was caught on tape before the investigation ended saying something along the lines of this being a very bad thing and Blagojevich was very naughty.

So there was a chance for Obama to implicate himself, and he did not.
Offline
 
CaptDennyCrane
Member Avatar
Shat Happens
Cookies then?
Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image
Posted Image

Posted Image

You cant expect 110% from others, when most times, they don't expect even 90% from themselves. -- Me.
No matter how hard your day, no matter how tough your choices, how complex your ethical decisions, you always get to choose what you have for lunch.
Offline
 
MeliKoritsi
Member Avatar
L'Étoile du Nord

If you didn't hear yet, Jesse Jackson Jr. was Candidate #5. His emessaries offered Blagojevich $1 Million for Obamas senate seat, but Jackson says he did nothing wrong. Riiiiight...
Offline
 
Moon
Member Avatar
How's Your Gapping Pu$$y, Kai?
Movie Era Rear Admiral
Mrosie
Dec 10 2008, 04:24 PM
If you didn't hear yet, Jesse Jackson Jr. was Candidate #5. His emessaries offered Blagojevich $1 Million for Obamas senate seat, but Jackson says he did nothing wrong. Riiiiight...

Not surprised at all to hear that. His father has been know to pay it and play it with big business around town here.
Posted Image
Offline
 
Kosh131
Member Avatar
Vorlon Ambassador
Moondance
Dec 10 2008, 05:56 PM
Mrosie
Dec 10 2008, 04:24 PM
If you didn't hear yet, Jesse Jackson Jr. was Candidate #5. His emessaries offered Blagojevich $1 Million for Obamas senate seat, but Jackson says he did nothing wrong. Riiiiight...

Not surprised at all to hear that. His father has been know to pay it and play it with big business around town here.

well, Jesse Sr. has been shaking down businesses for decades.

Honestly, we have so much corruption in this state, so many bad actors, so many crooks in BOTH parties that none of this really surprised me. It should. This goes beyond the pale and one can only conclude the Blago is sociopathic....

But none of this stuff shocks me anymore, I'm just numb to it, and that's sad.
Understanding is a three-edged sword.
Offline
 
AdmiralGummy
Member Avatar
The New House!
Roddenberry Medal Member
I hope that he enjoys prison.
Posted Image
Offline
 
MeliKoritsi
Member Avatar
L'Étoile du Nord

AdmiralGummy
Dec 10 2008, 06:27 PM
I hope that he enjoys prison.

I hope prison enjoys him and his big hair.
Offline
 
Moon
Member Avatar
How's Your Gapping Pu$$y, Kai?
Movie Era Rear Admiral
Kosh131
Dec 10 2008, 06:24 PM
Moondance
Dec 10 2008, 05:56 PM
Mrosie
Dec 10 2008, 04:24 PM
If you didn't hear yet, Jesse Jackson Jr. was Candidate #5. His emessaries offered Blagojevich $1 Million for Obamas senate seat, but Jackson says he did nothing wrong. Riiiiight...

Not surprised at all to hear that. His father has been know to pay it and play it with big business around town here.

well, Jesse Sr. has been shaking down businesses for decades.

Honestly, we have so much corruption in this state, so many bad actors, so many crooks in BOTH parties that none of this really surprised me. It should. This goes beyond the pale and one can only conclude the Blago is sociopathic....

But none of this stuff shocks me anymore, I'm just numb to it, and that's sad.

I think the sadder irony is his arrogance. He wants the power, it's what defines him and he won't be able to define himself without it.
Posted Image
Offline
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · News, World Events, History · Next Topic »

Today's New Posts