Written by Janet
The deadline is fast approaching for federal prosecutors to file an indictment against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, all eyes will be on the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse this week. Sources say the indictment could be filed as soon as thursday.
That is the last scheduled day for the grand jury investigating the former governor to meet before an April 7 deadline for filing the indictment. that Grand Jury has convened on Thursdays throughout the probe.
The indictment is expected to include more details about the allegations against Blagojevich and his former chief of staff John Harris regarding the corruption charges leveled against them in December. It also could include more defendants.
Other possible targets are Blagojevich’s brother, Robert, who headed the former governor’s campaign fund; Lon Monk, Blagojevich’s onetime best friend and former chief of staff; Blagojevich’s wife, Patricia; and Friends of Blagojevich, the ex-governor’s campaign committee.
Robert has been caught in many wiretaps. He was also caught discussing campaign donations from a horse track owner who wanted the governor to sign legislation favorable to the horse-racing industry. Monk, who was identified only as “Lobbyist 1″ in the original charges, was also caught on the recordings. And investigators have probed Patricia Blagojevich’s real estate deals for more than a year.
As you may recall FBI agents arrested Blagojevich December 9, on various corruption charges, including trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald said investigators moved quickly to stop a crime spree.
Prosecutors had to charge Blagojevich and Harris in a criminal complaint, not an indictment. An indictment is necessary because defendants cannot be tried on criminal complaints, which are used only to initiate criminal cases.
newsdeskinternational
/ 03/31/2009The Illinois Reform Commission launched in response to the corruption scandal surrounding ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY’-uh-vich) has unveiled a sweeping blueprint for change that includes limits on campaign contributions.
Illinois is one of the few states with no campaign financing limits. The tentative proposal announced Tuesday would cap individual campaign contributions at $2,400 and those from committees at $5,000.
The commission also proposes insulating procurement officials from politics and toughening the state Freedom of Information Act.
Chairman Patrick M. Collins said releasing the still tentative blueprint now is timely because an indictment against Blagojevich on corruption charges could be coming soon. Federal prosecutors have until Thursday to obtain an indictment or seek an extension.