MetaFilter posts tagged with Blagojevich

Don't Get Me Started!

gjc — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:52:24 -0800

Blago walks, mostly. Short and sweet: Jury was hung on 23 counts, convicted him on 1. That count was "lying to federal investigators" when he told them that he didn't care about nor was involved with fundraising. Max jailtime for this one is 5 years. They were, reportedly, 11-1 on all others. This is my favorite piece of damning evidence. (PDF with embedded wma file) We learn his opinion on (then President-elect) Obama. We learn where he'd like to be ambassador to. We learn what he thinks about his father in law. (listen for Patti dropping the phone at that point) We learn that he doesn't like his job as the chief executive of the 5th most populous state in the union. We learn what he feels like he's doing to his children (12:30). Skip to 7:30 for the start of the more interesting things, 9:00 for the good stuff. (Contains Executive Profanity!) (We also see tiny moments of him trying to do the right thing, but they are shockingly rare, and overridden by his desire for enrichment.) View everything here, if you are so inclined. The Justice Department intends to refile asap.

It's a Go-Go with the Blago

readery — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 22:30:11 -0800

It's a Go-Go with the Blago. Thursday, June 3rd, Rod Blagojevich gets his day(s) in court. And what a scene it will be. The judge, James Zagel, a mystery author and renaissance man, the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald and the defense team, father and son team, Sam Adam Jr and Sr will begin the trial, which by many accounts will keep court watchers busy for months. Suprisingly Rahm Emanuel was not subpoenaed, but Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. was. The indictment from December 2008 was one of the most widely read and entertaining legal documents leading to the "name that potential seat-buyer" game. Rod, and his hair , played the media circus like a violin enjoying the spolight with Trump, Letterman (Top Ten), Kimmel or anyone that would have him ( or his wife Patty). What new news will come out in this trial? Also on trial, Rod's brother Rob Blagojevich, a Nashville business man who somehow became involved with the Chicago mob investing Betty Loren Maltese's campaign funds. Rod is no stranger to Chicago mob connections, getting his start as a clerk in Eddie Vrdolyak's law office. Blagojevich challenging Fitzgerald "Are you man enough to meet me in court?" For us locals the question is "How early do I have to get there to get a seat as a court watcher?"

This is just to hold a press conference to announce...

casarkos — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:20:14 -0800

A small selection of parodic poetry inspired by the Illinois corruption mess. Ben Smith: - and which you were probably/saving/for Quinn - If you can scheme - but never scheme in writing/If you can talk - but not from your home phone Metaquotes (quoting from a locked politics-slash community): - Whose seat this is, I think I know - Shall I compare thee to an empty seat? - "The time has come," dear Roddy said,

Blagojevich on the run

zenon — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:38:47 -0800

Blagojevich impeached by State House. With only one dissenter Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was impeached by the Illinois House of Representatives while out jogging (video). This is the first step for removing the governor from power. Next the state senate puts Blaggo on trail, and that is scheduled to happen shortly after Obama's inauguration in a couple of weeks. Capital Fax Blog is reporting that Blaggo is not going to resign, and the governer has scheduled a press conference this afternoon with an official response to the vote. Previously on Mefi Note: Title shamelessly stolen from the NBC video. Summary from the Capital Fax blog: "Removal by the Senate will require at least 40 votes, meaning that Gov. Blagojevich will have to find 20 votes to avoid removal. Impossible." Rep. Milt Patterson (D-Chicago) was the only vote against impeachment, and Elga Jefferies (D-Chicago) voted "present" (ducking taking a position on the issue). Great presentation from the Chicago Tribune on the articles of impeachment here (pdf).