Illinois governer arrested
llinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, 51, and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested by the FBI today for criminal conspiracy, The Chicago Tribune reported. These charges include alleged attempts to try to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. He is also accused of obtaining campaign contributions in exchange for official actions, according to the Tribune.
FBI agents searched Blagojevich's office at the Thompson Center this morning. Blagojevich was taken into custody at his North Side home this morning. Both Blagojevich and Harris were taken to FBI headquarters in Chicago.
Blagojevich is slated to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan today, the Tribune reported.
Prosecutors allege Blagojevich tried to gain a position as secretary of Health and Human Services, secretary of the Energy Department or to an ambassadorship in the new Obama administration.
In addition to the other charges, Blagojevich and Harris allegedly schemed to fire the Chicago Tribune's editorial board because of editorials that criticized Blagojevich. Federal prosecutors also alleged Blagojevich and Harris obtained and sought to gain financial benefits for the governor, his family and his campaign fund in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions and state jobs and contracts, the Tribune reported.
For the full Tribune story click here
Comments (3)
6:02 p.m., Dec. 9, 2008
CJ said:
Thank you Pat, we have got to clean upp illinois politics. i am a small town mayor And i am going to run for governer
6:53 p.m., Dec. 9, 2008
h said:
this country cannot afford a corruption connection to the new president.
11:52 a.m., Dec. 9, 2008
hmm said:
Rahm Emanuel was mentioned in the FBI affidavit. Let's hope there are no further implications for the President-Elect.