Blagojevich Plotted To Trade Senate Appointment for a Job of His Own -- And May Have Named Himself Senator

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
by Christine Bowman

Two-Count Criminal Complaint (pdf)

Two schemes Rod Blagojevich discussed in conversations recorded and excerpted in today's two-count criminal complaint, concerned the idea of attempting to use Blagovevich's power to appoint a Senate replacement as leverage to help him secure financial security and a post-gubernatorial position for himself.

Blagojevich floated two balloons. One was the formation of a new 501(c)(4) nonprofit which he would head. The other was to jockey to secure a salaried job as head of "Change To Win," a non-profit affiliated with 7 unions including the SEIU.

Blagojevich and aides contemplated pressuring the Obama transition team for help with these schemes, believing the Governor could offer in return to appoint the candidate of Obama's choice to fill the Senate seat.
It appears that these schemes did not progress very far.

An un-named SEIU Official did talk with the Governor about the plan, but there is no recording indicating that the Governor received confirmation from that person that there was agreement to his suggestion from any Obama representative. Rather, the prospective Senate candidate whom Blagojevich believed Obama favored (speculated to be Valerie Jarrett) removed herself from consideration.The apparent SEIU go-between also suggested later that Obama favored other candidate(s).

The idea of pitching the 501(c)(4) plan to an un-named President-elect Advisor was discussed, too, in mid-November. The criminal complaint doesn't indicate whether this eventually occurred or was merely discussed.

The criminal complaint concludes with perhaps the scariest part of Blagojevich's speculation about his own future in politics. He repeatedly weighed the merits of filling Obama's Senate vacancy himself. Section 116 of the complaint outlines all the reasons Blagojevich found that to be an attractive option.

The prospect of a "US Senator Blagojevich" would appear to be a compelling reason (but only one of several) that the US Attorney moved swiftly today to bring the criminal complaints -- before more irrreparable damage was done.

Related Coverage:

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

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

Fitzgerald: 'He attempted to sell the Senate seat' -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

To thwart Blagojevich, Dick Durbin wants a special election for Obama's Senate seat -- 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

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