Ex-illinois Governor Blagojevich Indicted In Corruption Case
Blagojevich was accused of 16 felony counts including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements to federal agents, Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said yesterday in a statement. The ex-governor, a two-term Democrat, was charged in December with trying to trade the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama for campaign cash or other favors.
“Rod R. Blagojevich and a circle of his closest aides and advisers allegedly engaged in a wide-ranging scheme to deprive the people of Illinois of honest government,” Fitzgerald said in the statement.
Also charged in the case are former Chief of Staff John Harris, 47, who was arrested with Blagojevich in December, Alonzo “Lon” Monk, a lobbyist who was Harriss predecessor, and Robert Blagojevich, 53, who led his brothers campaign finance organization.
Re-indicted was Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association Executive Director William F. Cellini, who was accused of attempted extortion and other charges in October. Indicted for the third time was Christopher G. Kelly, a former Blagojevich fundraiser.
Blagojevich Enterprise
Together the defendants formed what Fitzgerald called the “Blagojevich Enterprise,” the purpose of which was “to exercise and preserve power over the government of the state of Illinois for the financial and political benefit” of the former governor, his family members and associates.
Blagojevich, 52, has maintained he is innocent of the criminal charges, some of which are based on wiretap evidence gathered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation before and after Obamas Nov. 4 election.
“Im saddened and hurt but I am not surprised by the indictment,” Blagojevich said in a statement distributed by PRNewsChannel. “I am innocent. I now will fight in the courts to clear my name. I would ask the good people of Illinois to wait for the trial and afford me the presumption of innocence that they would give to all their friends and neighbors.”
Sheldon Sorosky, an attorney for Blagojevich, didnt return a call seeking comment.
Spring Break
Blagojevich is spending time with his wife and children during spring break, according to his statement. Glenn Selig, a Blagojevich spokesman, declined to comment earlier yesterday on the former governors whereabouts, except to say he wasnt in Chicago. The Associated Press reported that Blagojevich appeared to be at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Robert Blagojevichs attorney, Michael Ettinger, didnt immediately return a phone message.
Kelly, 50, of Burr Ridge, Illinois, raised money for Blagojevichs first gubernatorial election in 2002. In January he pleaded guilty to tax-related crimes.
On Feb. 5, Kelly was indicted for allegedly overbilling UAL Corp.s United Airlines and AMR Corp.s American Airlines for work his roofing company did on their OHare International Airport facilities. He pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Pay-to-Play
“Mr. Kelly adamantly denies that he is guilty of the charges in this case,” his attorney, Michael Monico, said yesterday in a phone interview. “He did not participate in pay- to-play.”
Winston & Strawn LLP chairman Dan Webb, who represents Cellini, also said his client was innocent.
“There is no justification whatsoever for including Bill Cellini in the indictment against former governor Blagojevich,” Webb said in a statement.