Posted by
Gabrielle Cusumano on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 1:12:00 PM
Feds: Blagojevich saw Obama's vacated job as a "valuable thing"
DECEMBER 9--The criminal complaint filed today against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich contains a remarkable section detailing the Democratic politician's alleged attempt to cash in on his ability to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Attached to the U.S. District Court complaint is an FBI affidavit, excerpted below, alleging that Blagojevich was caught on wiretaps noting that the Senate seat "is a f------ valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing." He was also recorded saying that unless "I get something real good," he would appoint himself to the vacancy. "I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain. You hear what I'm saying. And if I don't get what I want and I'm not satisfied with it, then I'll just take the Senate seat myself."
According to surreptitiously recorded conversations, Blagojevich spoke with associates about the possibility of trading the Senate post for either an ambassadorship or a Cabinet post. The politician, according to the affidavit sworn by FBI Agent Daniel Cain, "analogized his situation to that of a sports agent shopping a potential free agent to various teams."
During a wiretapped November 10 call, a frustrated and financially strapped Blagojevich referred to Obama as a "mother------" and said that he would not appoint an ally of the President-elect to the Senate vacancy if "I don't get anything." Referring to Obama, Blagojevich exclaimed, ..."
(more) at The Smoking Gun.com
Excerpted from: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1209081rod1.html
Illinois Gov. Blagojevich, chief of staff, arrested
By Jeff Coen, David Kidwell and Monique Garcia | Tribune staff reporters
- 9:14 AM CST, December 9, 2008
- Excerpted from Chicago Tribune at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rod-blagojevich-1209,0,7997804.story
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