FBI Circled Around Blago's Wife for a Year

(NEWSER) - Rod Blagojevich's wife was deeply involved in his alleged scheming, the Chicago Tribune reports, based on details in the federal complaint against the Illinois governor. Though Patricia Blagojevich has not been charged with a crime, she was a vocal party to wiretapped conversations. In one recording, she can be heard in the background hurling expletives at the Tribune Co. while the governor discusses Wrigley Field. More»

Chicago power broker says daughter's hubby hoped to avoid ouster

(NEWSER) - Illinois' newest ex-governor wanted to jump before he was pushed, Rod Blagojevich's estranged father-in-law tells the Chicago Sun-Times. Richard Mell, a powerful Chicago alderman credited with launching Blago's career, says his son-in-law, despite his denials, wanted to avoid being ousted "but he didn't reach out to anybody" in state government. More»

Feds' wiretap recording paints off-color image of Mrs. Blagojevich

(NEWSER) - Illinois’ first lady is not the “potty mouth” the feds and Barbara Walters make her out to be, Patti Blagojevich’s family tells the Chicago Sun-Times. While conceding that Patti can be “standoffish," state legislator Deborah Mell said yesterday, “that is absolutely not my sister,” caught in a wiretap recording cursing newspaper editors for remarks about husband Rod Blagojevich. More»

(NEWSER) - An astute reader of the criminal complaint against Rod Blagojevich will notice that, with shockingly little tweaking, the wiretapped conversations between the Illinois governor and his co-conspirators could be dialogue from a David Mamet play. Choire Sicha demonstrates in Salon, turning it into a quick one-acter. From the trash-talking femme fatale to the gangsterish attempts at logic, the story of the pol laid low by his arrogance and ambition almost seems like plagiarism. More»

'Breadth of corruption' would 'make Lincoln roll over in his grave'

(NEWSER) - In addition to bartering over President-elect Obama’s vacant Senate seat, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich sought campaign contributions in return for government action, and attempted to influence the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune, the Sun-Times reports. The FBI released transcripts of incriminating conversations today. “The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave,” US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said. More»