The Affidavit Against Governor Blagojevich Implies Intent to Involve Obama in Corruption
Today Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on two counts of corruption. A review of the affidavit filed to support the charges suggests corruption by the Governor going back to 2002 and involving many players including Tony Rezko, John Cari (former Al Gore associate), union leaders and possibly ties to the Obama team.
A sealed affidavit filed by FBI Agent John Cain against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich alleges he conspired to bribe the Chicago Tribune newspaper with state financial assistance for the Chicago Cubs baseball team which it owns in return for firing editorial board members who were critical of the governor and suggested he should be investigated for corruption. The 78 page affidavit goes into great detail about corruption involving unions, hospitals, highways and other state programs where pay offs were alleged to have been given for state decisions. But what is of national consequence and most troubling is how it shows an intent to involve the office of the President Elect Barack Obama in corruption as well.
There are recorded discussions between Governor Blagojevich and his Deputy Governor John Harris discussing the selling of the Illinois Senate seat vacated by President Elect Barack Obama. The discussions focus on a trade were Blagojevich or his wife ( if he was not politically viable) to head a large not for private corporation in return for a payoff to appoint a Cabinet post for Obama. The Secretary of Health and Human Services and also Energy are mentioned. Wiretaps and personal recordings of conservations were made.
In the affidavit, there is discussion that Obama could ask Warren Buffet or Bill Gates to contribute money to Blagojevich. On several pages there mentions of unnamed “Fundraisers” and “Presidential Advisors”. Mr. Blagojevich discusses that he wanted to send a message to the President Elect that there were many options in how a candidate for the Senatorial replacement could be done which could be interpreted to indicate that Obama was involved in the selection process.
This arrest should concern all Americans. There is no clear cut evidence that the President Elect was directly involved as yet but it is severely troubling to see his name mentioned so much in private discussion of the accused governor and his confidants. It is hard to believe he was just engaging in wishful thinking. He was making calls to union leaders most recently in Washington D.C. and discussing the President Elect. Apparently the FBI has yet to confirm by voice identification with whom exactly some of these conservations were held.
Americans will be keen to see when these so called Presidential advisers and fundraisers will be identified. Clearly further investigation will be necessary to see how high up the ladder this plan of intended corruption to sell Cabinet positions goes. Already a stain has appeared on the Obama Presidency.
Tony Magaña grew up in McAllen Texas, attended Texas A&M University, served as an officer in Army Reserve, and holds a doctorate from Harvard University. The co-founder of Contempo Magazine has participated in Valley business for over 20 years.He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
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