Fitzgerald: 'He attempted to sell the Senate seat'

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
by Christine Bowman

In a late morning press conference Tuesday, US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and his law enforcement colleagues expressed dismay and a sense of urgency regarding the corruption charges just brought against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris.

Facing reporters, Fitzgerald used terms like "new low," "political corruption crime spree," "he attempted to sell the Senate seat," "extortion," "cynical," "very, very, disturbing," and "appalling." He paused from discussion of the allegations against the Governor and his associates to state unequivocally: "I should make clear the complaint makes no allegations whatsoever about the president elect."

Fitzgerald described the Governor as "working feverishly to make as much money as possible" very recently. He conveyed his concern that "more extraordinary means of investigation" were warranted in recent days, i.e., placing a bug in the Governor's office and wiretapping his home phone line, to prevent plotted schemes from actually being carried out or further crimes being committed. The US attorney also indicated search warrants have been issued for the Deputy Governor's office and the "Friends of Blagojevich" campaign office.

The US Attorney stated that successful prosecution of the corruption case requires the cooperation of citizens who know more about what has been happening behind the scenes. "We need people in the public to stand up and say 'enough.' We're not going to end corruption by arrests and indictments alone." He advised that anyone who may have been approached to assist in corrupt schemes "first say no" and then "report it." Some parties already have done just that it seems. "There are people out there who are pretty damn angry," Fitzgerald admitted. "I encourage people to talk with us, to work with us. There's a lot we don't know. ... We'd like to see what schemes were carried out or not. If other people did wrong, we'll deal with that."

"Some of these schemes went pretty far ... some not far at all." Fitzgerald urged the press to avoid casting aspersions on anyone beyond Blagojevich or Harris as the case moves forward.  

Blagojevich was quoted as saying in regard to the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Obama: "You just don't give it away for nothing. ... I've got this thing and it's [bleeping] golden." (redacted)

Fitzgerald also explained that the Chicago Tribune came to his office about 8 weeks ago about a story. The US Attorney's office made the urgent request not to publish that story, feeling that the public interest required that the story hot run. Fitzgerald said he takes his "hat off" to the Tribune for sitting on the item, and added, "I believe it ran Friday morning." The eventual publication of that story did lead Blagojevich to change his behavior subsequently and adjust his plans, Fitzgerald asserted.

Further updates and reactions to come, including the response of Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, who is holding an afternoon press conference. 

Illinois Dem Governor Rod Blagojevich Arrested on Multiple Federal Felony Charges, As Chicago-Based BuzzFlash Has Predicted for Months -- The BuzzFlash Editor's Blog

Blagojevich Plotted To Trade Senate Appointment for a Job of His Own -- And Even May Have Soon Named Himself Senator -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

BuzzFlash Summary of Criminal Complaints Against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich: Just Staggering Greed -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky Calls for Immediate Resignation or Impeachment of Blagojevich -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

Meet Pat Quinn: the man who might pick Barack Obama's Senate replacement -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

Technorati Tags: Alerts BuzzFlash Fitzgerald Blagojevich Corruption