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Blago Scandal

Started by K Schwartz; Last updated by K Schwartz

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Blago Scandal

The Land of Lincoln took a hit when yet another politician was arrested on corruption charges.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on wide-ranging corruption charges in December 2008, with questions swirling over whether “pay-to-play politics" practices were involved in the selection of a senator to replace President-elect Obama.

Stories

Stories 21 - 40 of 193

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March 2009
- Blago 'A Natural' in Radio Gig
  
  Chicago Tribune | Mar 25, 09 10:35 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Morning drive-time radio could be the future for Rod Blagojevich, if the impeached Illinois’ governor’s fill-in stint today on Chicago’s WLS-AM is anything to go by, Jimmy Orr writes in live-blogging the show for the Christian Science Monitor . Amid Elvis theme music and complaints about his successor’s proposed tax hike, the “natural radio host” responded to jokes about his hair and the book he’s writing. More »
- Blago's New Gig: Talk Radio
  
  Associated Press | Mar 24, 09 11:37 AM CDT
  
  (AP) - Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has a new temp job—as a radio talk show host. WLS-AM program director Bob Shomper says Blagojevich will be on the air on the Chicago station tomorrow morning, taking calls from listeners, telling stories, and talking with guests. Shomper says it's a one-time deal in a slot normally filled by hosts who are off this week. More »
- Lawmakers Sour on Governors Filling Senate Vacancies
  
  Washington Post | Mar 12, 09 12:23 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Soured by the taint of the Rod Blagojevich scandal on a US Senate seat, members of congressional judiciary subcommittees considered a Constitutional amendment that would fill interim vacancies in the body by election, rather than by gubernatorial appointment, the Washington Post reports. The selection by governors is “not only undemocratic but prone to abuse,” argued Rep. James Sensenbrenner. More »
- Blago Fails to Boot Federal Prosecutor
  
  Chicago Tribune | Mar 9, 09 5:49 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Rod Blagojevich has failed to get Chicago's top federal prosecutor kicked off of his case, the Chicago Tribune reports. A judge ruled today that comments made by Patrick Fitzgerald—which Blagojevich called inflammatory—did not warrant removing him from the corruption case. Nor did Fitzgerald's release of wiretap transcripts that Blago wanted sealed, the AP reports. More »
- Winning Blago Book Name: Rod and the Giant Impeach
  
  Chicago Tribune | Mar 6, 09 2:30 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The people of Illinois have voted in a Chicago Tribune contest to name Rod Blagojevich’s upcoming memoir, and the winner is: Rod and the Giant Impeach . “I thought of the impeachment of the governor, and about my childhood,” the winner said of his inspiration, which scored him a 3-pound beef tongue. Runners-up: From Hair to Profanity ; They Paid Me a [Bleeping] Bucket of Cash to Write This [Bleeping] Book ; and God is My Comb Pilot . More »
- Burris Figured 'To Do Some Things' for Blago: Ex-Ally
  
  Chicago Sun-Times | Mar 6, 09 10:40 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - John Ruff, a former associate of Roland Burris and his staff, is claiming Burris planned all along to make a trade with then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich for the Senate seat he now holds. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Ruff, then a participant in the effort to get the seat for Burris, was told by Burris aide Fred Lebed, “We’ll have to do some things for the governor.” More »
- Blago's Book Bad News for Emanuel
  
  New York Post | Mar 4, 09 10:39 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Why is Rod Blagojevich’s tell-all book coming from such a small publisher? The press release says it’s so everyone’s favorite ex-governor can share his story “without restriction over content,” but Cindy Adams of the New York Post thinks she knows the real reason. Blago’s book is sure to throw Rahm Emanuel under a bus, she reasons, and Emanuel’s brother, talent agent Ari, is so well-connected that no major house would touch the thing. More »
- Burris Camp Returns to Race Card
  
  Politico | Mar 3, 09 10:26 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Roland Burris doesn’t have much support in Washington or money in his war chest for a reelection bid, but he retains one reliable weapon, Politico reports: the race card. As controversy over his appointment has reemerged, Burris hasn’t hesitated to chalk it up to racial politics. A Burris consultant says “race has something to do with” the Illinois senator’s chilly reception in DC. More »
- Blago Inks 6-Figure Book Deal
  
  Associated Press | Mar 2, 09 5:05 PM CST
  
  (AP) - A publicist for Rod Blagojevich says the former Illinois governor plans to write a book "exposing the dark side of politics," the AP reports. Glenn Selig says Blagojevich signed a six-figure deal today. The book, to be released on October, also will detail how Blagojevich selected President Barack Obama's successor in the U.S. Senate. More »
- Race to Replace Burris Already Under Way
  
  New York Times | Mar 2, 09 12:18 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The jockeying has begun to replace Roland Burris in the Senate, the New York Times reports, though nobody’s certain when an election will be. Burris seems set on serving the remaining 2 years of Barack Obama’s term, but pressure is building for special elections. “The landscape on this all seems to change about every 56 hours,” said one Republican considering a run. More »
February 2009
- Blago Gave Burris' Son Job
  
  Chicago Sun-Times | Feb 26, 09 12:34 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Sen. Roland Burris’ son, Roland W. Burris II, got a job with the Illinois housing authority last year, weeks after the IRS imposed a tax lien and his home entered foreclosure, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The appointment came as his father lobbied for Barack Obama’s Senate seat, and Gov. Rod Blagojevich was asking the elder Burris for money. Burris II is not being investigated. More »
- Congrats, DC: Sen. Burris Is on Your Side
  
  Washington Post | Feb 26, 09 11:18 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - DC residents have a new Senate ally in their quest for congressional representation. Unfortunately, Dana Milbank points out in the Washington Post , it’s the monumentally unpopular Roland Burris, “the Democrat from Blagojevich.” As Milbank points out, “Burris is not one to be set back by shunning,” launching into a plea for DC voting rights after getting repeated cold shoulders from colleagues. More »
- Durbin to Burris: Resign
  
  Chicago Tribune | Feb 24, 09 3:30 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin told his junior colleague, Roland Burris, that he should resign during a meeting today, the Chicago Tribune reports. Burris declined, and also would not confirm whether or not he would run in 2010, despite earlier accounts that he would give up the seat. Durbin said he was “disappointed” by both responses, and will not support Burris in a future campaign. More »
- Burris Won't Quit, but Vows Not to Run in '10
  
  Chicago Sun-Times | Feb 24, 09 11:57 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Roland Burris won’t resign as senator in the wake of allegations he traded campaign donations for his appointment by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich—or at least that’s what Burris will tell fellow Illinois Dem Dick Durbin today, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. But sources say Burris will pledge not to seek re-election next year, which is perhaps enough to get the heat turned down, at least temporarily. More »
- Feds Grill Burris in Blago Probe
  
  Chicago Tribune | Feb 22, 09 4:49 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Federal authorities interviewed Illinois Sen. Roland Burris yesterday as part of the investigation into whether former Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to sell President Obama's Senate seat, reports the Chicago Tribune . Burris is not a specific target in the Blago case, sources said, but he is being investigated for perjury by the state and the Senate Ethics Committee as more details on his quest for the seat emerge. More »
- White House to Burris: Think It Over
  
  Chicago Tribune | Feb 20, 09 4:43 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - As the chorus urging Roland Burris to resign grows larger and louder, the White House today stopped just short of joining but sent an unmistakable "veiled threat," writes Frank James in the Chicago Tribune . At this afternoon's press briefing, Robert Gibbs' words were measured yet blunt: "I think it might important for Sen. Burris to take some time this weekend to either correct what has been said and certainly think of what lays in his future." More »
- Ill. Gov to Burris: Quit Already
  
  Chicago Tribune | Feb 20, 09 12:20 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn today joined the chorus of politicians calling for Roland Burris to resign, urging him to step down "as quickly as possible for the best interests of Illinois," the Chicago Tribune reports. Said Quinn, who gained the office after Rod Blagojevich's ouster for attempting to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat: "This should not be a matter that takes weeks." More »
- Burris Launched Senate Bid in Fall Call
  
  Chicago Tribune | Feb 20, 09 10:10 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - Roland Burris’s effort to get into the Senate looks more elaborate every day. John Filan, a former aide to Rod Blagojevich, now says he got a call from Burris some time in the fall, expressing interest in a Senate appointment, the Chicago Tribune reports. Burris reiterated his interest, and asked Filan to “put in a good word for me,” in a Dec. 16 meeting. More »
- Feds Hit Blago's Wife With Subpoena
  
  Chicago Sun-Times | Feb 19, 09 2:57 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Federal investigators subpoenaed Patti Blagojevich today, requiring the former first lady of Illinois to supply documents concerning the corruption charges against her husband, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Blagojevich is said to have complied with the subpoena, which demanded that she provide information on more than 40 people or entities, ranging from Blago associates like Tony Rezko and Chris Kelly to her career in real estate. More »
- How We Can Get Rid of This Guy
  
  Salon | Feb 19, 09 2:02 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Even with everyone in sight calling for his head, even after he’s been caught lying multiple times about his appointment, Roland Burris seems determined not to step down. But there is a quick way to be rid of him, law professor Garrett Epps writes for Salon: The Illinois legislature could call a special election, pronto. “It would be the constitutional equivalent of a Hail Mary pass,” says Epps, “but desperate times call for desperate measures.” More »

Stories 21 - 40 of 193

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In this courtroom artist's drawing, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich stands before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jan Nolan in Chicago, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008.

In this courtroom artist's drawing, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich stands before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jan Nolan in Chicago, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Verna Sadock)

Gov. Rod Blagojevich, right, arrives at his home after federal authorities arrested him.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich, right, arrives at his home after federal authorities arrested him. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

The Tribune broke the news that Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested.

The Tribune broke the news that Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested. (Chicago Tribune Media Group)

US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald talks about the criminal complaint against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges during a news conference in Chicago, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008.

US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald talks about the criminal complaint against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges during a news conference in Chicago, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

In this Feb. 12, 2003, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to reporters at Abraham Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield , Ill.

In this Feb. 12, 2003, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to reporters at Abraham Lincoln's Tomb in Springfield , Ill. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

A Nov. 5, 2008 file photo shows Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich at a news conference in Chicago.

A Nov. 5, 2008 file photo shows Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich at a news conference in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich takes the oath of office as his wife, Patricia, looks on.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich takes the oath of office as his wife, Patricia, looks on. (AP Photo)

Mr. and Mrs. Blagojevich attend the Illinois State Fair.

Mr. and Mrs. Blagojevich attend the Illinois State Fair. (AP Photo)

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich celebrates with his wife, Patricia, in Chicago after winning the Democratic nomination for governor.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich celebrates with his wife, Patricia, in Chicago after winning the Democratic nomination for governor. (AP Photo)

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