This day in history
Patrick Haynes
Issue date: 12/9/09 Section: News
Rod Blagojevich continued the trend of corruption in the office of governor in the state of Illinois, when he was arrested on Dec. 9, 2008.
The United States Marshals Service, in partnership with the FBI, arrested Blagojevich, along with his Chief of Staff John Harris, at their homes. Each was arrested on charges of wire frauds and soliciting bribes.
Blagojevich came under fire when it was recorded on tape that he was attempting to blackmail the Tribune Company into firing editors of the Chicago Tribune who were printing articles that portrayed him in a negative light.
It was also realized that Blagojevich was attempting to release $8 million of state funds to Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital, who would in turn raise an expected $50,000 in campaign contributions to his campaign fund for future elections. Blagojevich was also extorting a bribe to the sound of $2.5 million for his campaign fund from various companies and individuals who had previously received appointments or assistance from him.
Perhaps most glaring, is the fact that "Blago" was attempting to auction off the senator's seat of now President Barack Obama to the highest bidder. He was quoted as saying, "It's a (expletive) valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing," in regards to the senator position, which he as governor is responsible for filling.
Blagojevich was seeking a salary for himself from either non-profit organizations or a labor union, a position for his wife, Patti, on a high-paying corporate board, upfront campaign contributions and a cabinet post or ambassadorship to Serbia.
The remaining senator of the state, Richard Durbin, said that no appointment by Blagojevich would be viewed as credible in light of the actions that he put into motion. Obama requested a resignation as well.
Blagojevich's appointment to the junior senator seat was former state Attorney General, Roland Burris, who despite the controversy surrounding his appointment and Blagojevich's actions, was allowed to remain in his position because of a lack of supporting evidence in June 2009. It was rumored that Burris was heard discussing the price of Obama's senate seat, though those charges were dropped.
Because of former governors like George Ryan and Blagojevich, Dec. 9 will be remembered as a day that the continued corruption of the Illinois governor position progressed.
The United States Marshals Service, in partnership with the FBI, arrested Blagojevich, along with his Chief of Staff John Harris, at their homes. Each was arrested on charges of wire frauds and soliciting bribes.
Blagojevich came under fire when it was recorded on tape that he was attempting to blackmail the Tribune Company into firing editors of the Chicago Tribune who were printing articles that portrayed him in a negative light.
It was also realized that Blagojevich was attempting to release $8 million of state funds to Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital, who would in turn raise an expected $50,000 in campaign contributions to his campaign fund for future elections. Blagojevich was also extorting a bribe to the sound of $2.5 million for his campaign fund from various companies and individuals who had previously received appointments or assistance from him.
Perhaps most glaring, is the fact that "Blago" was attempting to auction off the senator's seat of now President Barack Obama to the highest bidder. He was quoted as saying, "It's a (expletive) valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing," in regards to the senator position, which he as governor is responsible for filling.
Blagojevich was seeking a salary for himself from either non-profit organizations or a labor union, a position for his wife, Patti, on a high-paying corporate board, upfront campaign contributions and a cabinet post or ambassadorship to Serbia.
The remaining senator of the state, Richard Durbin, said that no appointment by Blagojevich would be viewed as credible in light of the actions that he put into motion. Obama requested a resignation as well.
Blagojevich's appointment to the junior senator seat was former state Attorney General, Roland Burris, who despite the controversy surrounding his appointment and Blagojevich's actions, was allowed to remain in his position because of a lack of supporting evidence in June 2009. It was rumored that Burris was heard discussing the price of Obama's senate seat, though those charges were dropped.
Because of former governors like George Ryan and Blagojevich, Dec. 9 will be remembered as a day that the continued corruption of the Illinois governor position progressed.
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