3-J and the Blago Scandal
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Jackson Blew Whistle On Blagojevich Shakedown</font size></center>
U.S. News & World Report
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Washington Post reports Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. "told federal investigators that Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked for a $25,000 campaign contribution during Blagojevich's 2002 run for governor and may have exacted retribution when the money did not arrive" by refusing Jackson's wife a gubernatorial appointment. Kenneth Edmonds, Jackson's Washington spokesman, "said the congressman 'has shared information with the U.S. attorney's office about public corruption in the state during the past several years.'"
The AP reports that Blagojevich told Jackson "he didn't appoint the congressman's wife as lottery director because he had refused him a $25,000 campaign donation, a person familiar with the conversation told The Associated Press on Tuesday."
NBC Nightly News called the revelation about Jackson a "new bombshell in the scandal." WGN-TV Chicago also reported "it's been confirmed," Jackson "has been singing to federal investigators about public corruption, and he has been doing it for years."
Meanwhile, The Hill reports the "alleged 'pay-to-play' scheme coarsely laid out by" Blagojevich "in FBI wiretaps sent the political world on the hunt for those who reportedly offered $1.5 million for a Senate seat." But campaign finance experts "and some lawmakers" do not "see much difference between what" Candidate No. 5's "'emissary' offered and standard operating procedure in Congress - where the promise to raise millions is part of advancing into leadership or a chairmanship."
<font size="4">Related Events</font size>
Rezko Sentencing Indefinitely Delayed The AP reports, "Jailed political fundraiser Antoin 'Tony' Rezko's sentencing has been postponed indefinitely, possibly adding to the legal problems of Gov. Rod Blagojevich." The judge ordered the delay on "Tuesday amid speculation that Rezko has resumed talking to prosecutors about his relationship with Blagojevich and other figures in the federal investigation of state government."
Blagojevich Fundraiser To Plead Guilty WFLD-TV Chicago reported that Blagojevich's case may be weakened after one of his fundraisers, Chris Kelly, changed his plea to guilty on charges of "failing to report gambling proceeds." The Chicago Sun-Times notes that Kelly "was not charged with conduct related to state deals but is widely known to be under scrutiny for fund-raising schemes under Blagojevich."
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_081217.htm
Jackson Blew Whistle On Blagojevich Shakedown</font size></center>
U.S. News & World Report
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Washington Post reports Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. "told federal investigators that Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked for a $25,000 campaign contribution during Blagojevich's 2002 run for governor and may have exacted retribution when the money did not arrive" by refusing Jackson's wife a gubernatorial appointment. Kenneth Edmonds, Jackson's Washington spokesman, "said the congressman 'has shared information with the U.S. attorney's office about public corruption in the state during the past several years.'"
The AP reports that Blagojevich told Jackson "he didn't appoint the congressman's wife as lottery director because he had refused him a $25,000 campaign donation, a person familiar with the conversation told The Associated Press on Tuesday."
NBC Nightly News called the revelation about Jackson a "new bombshell in the scandal." WGN-TV Chicago also reported "it's been confirmed," Jackson "has been singing to federal investigators about public corruption, and he has been doing it for years."
Meanwhile, The Hill reports the "alleged 'pay-to-play' scheme coarsely laid out by" Blagojevich "in FBI wiretaps sent the political world on the hunt for those who reportedly offered $1.5 million for a Senate seat." But campaign finance experts "and some lawmakers" do not "see much difference between what" Candidate No. 5's "'emissary' offered and standard operating procedure in Congress - where the promise to raise millions is part of advancing into leadership or a chairmanship."
<font size="4">Related Events</font size>
Rezko Sentencing Indefinitely Delayed The AP reports, "Jailed political fundraiser Antoin 'Tony' Rezko's sentencing has been postponed indefinitely, possibly adding to the legal problems of Gov. Rod Blagojevich." The judge ordered the delay on "Tuesday amid speculation that Rezko has resumed talking to prosecutors about his relationship with Blagojevich and other figures in the federal investigation of state government."
Blagojevich Fundraiser To Plead Guilty WFLD-TV Chicago reported that Blagojevich's case may be weakened after one of his fundraisers, Chris Kelly, changed his plea to guilty on charges of "failing to report gambling proceeds." The Chicago Sun-Times notes that Kelly "was not charged with conduct related to state deals but is widely known to be under scrutiny for fund-raising schemes under Blagojevich."
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_081217.htm
