"Fitzgerald: New low in Illinois politics" from the Chicago Tribune was the reaction of US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, infamous for his role in the Valerie Plame/Scooter Libby CIA leak case, who now is dropping the ax on Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for allegedly trying to sell the recently vacated Senate seat of PEBO Barack Obama - first to Obama aide Valerie Jarrett.
FBI: Blago wanted payoff to give Obama adviser Senate seat
"Axe ripped Fitzgerald?s patronage purge" from Politico
"Boomerang; Democrat Culture of Corruption"
Fitzgerald said secret tape recordings showed Blagojevich was attempting "to sell the U.S. Senate seat" that President-elect Barack Obama recently vacated. Fitzgerald said, "We make no allegations" that Obama was aware of any alleged scheming by Blagojevich.
The governor has the sole power to pick Obama's replacement under the state constitution.
"The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave," Fitzgerald said, quoting Blagojevich as saying the Senate seat is "a bleeping valuable thing. You just don't give it away. ... I've got this thing and it's bleeping golden."
Fitzgerald called the corruption charges against Blagojevich "a truly new low."
Blagojevich wasn't against the corrupt deal for the Senate seat, he was against "being stiffed in the corrupt deal," Fitzgerald said.
Governor Blagoyevich arrested:
Comments