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Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich Arrested on Corruption Charges
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on criminal charges after months of investigation by federal officials.
Blagojevich, a Democrat, attempted to sell the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama, according to reports of the indictment on Tuesday. In previous months, Obama distanced himself from the governor after the investigation ensued.
In Illinois, the governor selects a successor when there is a mid-term vacancy in the U.S. Senate. Obama resigned from the Senate soon after winning the presidential election on November 4. Since then, Blagojevich has reportedly put the seat up for sale, available to the highest bidder.
Blagojevich allegedly was caught on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month. He was seeking a "substantial" salary for himself at a non-profit foundation or union affiliated organization, a spot on a corporate board for his wife, promises of campaign cash, as well as a cabinet post or ambassadorship in exchange for his Senate choice, an FBI affidavit said.
In addition, Blagojevich was accused of threatening to withhold state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of the Chicago Cubs' home baseball stadium, Wrigley Field, in order "to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical" of him. On Monday, the Tribune Co. filed for bankruptcy.
Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were charged in a federal complaint with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. Both were arrested and taken into custody at their homes in Chicago.
The arrest is not an indictment as of yet. According to legal sources, the arrest is just a complaint, but can become an indictment after a grand jury reads the 76-page affidavit associated with the charges.
Illinois First Lady Patricia "Patti" Blagojevich is mentioned a number of times in the FBI affidavit, in which the governor said the "f-word" 18 times. Mrs. Blagojevich was not arrested Tuesday, but federal prosecutors allege that she was involved with the governor's attempts to sell Obama's U.S. Senate seat and to intimidate the Tribune.
Each mail and wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while each bribery charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
The arrest adds to the string of supposed corruption in Chicago and Illinois politics that Sen. John McCain referenced during his presidential campaign against Obama. Blagojevich follows the path of his predecessor, former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, who is currently in jail for corruption charges.
U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald, who prosecuted Ryan, will also prosecute Blagojevich and Harris. Fitzgerald called the case "staggering" in a press conference Tuesday morning.
Blagojevich was released on $4500 bond after a hearing on Tuesday afternoon. He and Harris had to turn over their passports and any firearms they have in their homes.
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