Illinois Govenor Who Suspends State Business With B of A Taken Into Federal Custody

Timeline of the Blagojevich investigation

www.chicagotribune.com...

Here is a timeline of the investigation:

June 7, 2004: Stuart Levine, a longtime Republican reappointed to the powerful Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board, abruptly resigns on the eve of several important hospital expansion votes. The revelation is the first indication that the Blagojevich administration is under federal criminal investigation.

June 27, 2004: The Tribune discloses that an official for one hospital seeking permission to expand was wearing a federal bug during meetings in an effort to expose extortion attempts by Levine and others for contributions to Blagojevich.

July 2, 2004: Levine resigns from his seat on the board of the state Teachers' Retirement System. It remains undisclosed that federal authorities had secretly taped Levine's conversations.

May 9, 2005: Levine is indicted on corruption charges. Federal subpoenas are issued to numerous administration sources, including top Blagojevich fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko

May 20, 2005: The governor's office acknowledges to the Tribune that Rezko has an ongoing eight-year professional relationship with Patricia Blagojevich's home-based real estate brokerage, River Realty Inc.

Sept 15, 2005: Prominent Democratic fundraiser Joseph Cari and a former lawyer for the state's teacher's pension board pleads guilty in an extortion scheme that steered state pension business to favored companies in exchange for campaign contributions to a high-ranking public official described in court documents only as "Public official A."

Oct. 25, 2005: The Tribune discloses a federal grand jury investigation into the alleged political hiring practices of the Blagojevich administration, including the governor's top hiring aide, Joseph Cini.

Sept. 10, 2006: The Tribune reveals that the FBI is investigating allegations by a one-time Blagojevich family friend that she had concerns her state job may have come in return for a $1,500 personal check her husband wrote to one of Blagojevich's children.

Sept. 17, 2006: The Tribune reports that the Blagojevich administration skirted state hiring rules to give jobs to at least 360 people whose applications were sent through back channels by the governor's offices and politically connected officials.

Aug. 5, 2006: The Tribune reports that Levine is cooperating with the federal investigation of state government.

Oct. 11, 2006: Blagojevich confidant and top fundraiser Rezko is indicted on federal charges he sought millions of dollars in kickbacks and campaign donations from firms seeking state business.

Oct. 27, 2006: Political insider Levine pleads guilty in a scheme to squeeze millions of dollars from firms seeking state business. In court papers, federal authorities spell out allegations that Rezko and another schemer, identified by sources as Blagojevich confidant and top fundraiser Christopher Kelly, were using their influence for corrupt purposes.

Oct. 27, 2006: The Tribune reveals that Blagojevich's wife, Patricia, earned more than $113,000 in real estate commissions in 2006 through a woman with a no-bid state contract whose banker husband--a major Blagojevich fundraiser--has business pending before state regulators. Both the FBI and the Cook County state's attorney's office begin investigations.

March 9, 2007: Cook County prosecutors charge the woman, Anita Mahajan, with billing the state for more than $2 million in services her drug-screening firm never performed.


April 8, 2007: Tribune reports that a close business associate of Amrish Mahajan, Amrit Patel, hosted a fundraiser for Blagojevich and was involved in a real estate deal with Patricia Blagojevich, while seeking to expand his Dunkin' Donuts business into the state's tollway oases. The deal was never consummated.

May 23, 2007: The Tribune reveals that federal prosecutors have subpoenaed records from Blagojevich's campaign fund as part of the sweeping corruption probe into whether top aides and advisers exchanged state business and jobs for political support.

Nov. 4, 2007: A Tribune investigation reveals that influential lobbyist John Wyma, a longtime Blagojevich friend and confidant, bought a $650,000 home from one of his clients that sent real estate commissions of more than $30,000 to the governor's wife. The client, Mark Wight, later won $10 million in state road contracts.

Dec. 7: 2007: The Tribune reports that authorities are investigating Patricia Blagojevich's real estate business as part of their three-year corruption probe into allegations of favoritism and fraud within the administration.

Dec. 13, 2007: Kelly, a Chicago area businessman and chief Blagojevich fundraiser, is indicted on unrelated federal tax evasion charges involving huge gambling losses.

March 6, 2008: The federal trial of Rezko begins.

April 22, 2008: Ali Ata, appointed by Blagojevich as executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority, admits buying the $127,000 job by contributing to the governor's campaign, pleads guilty to obstruction of justice and agrees to cooperate.

April 26, 2008: A Tribune investigation reveals at least three of every four $25,000 donors to Blagojevich got something from the administration--including jobs, contracts or favorable regulatory rulings.

June 4, 2008: After nearly three months of testimony that lays bare some of the innermost workings of the Blagojevich administration, Rezko is convicted of using his political ties to the governor to orchestrate a multimillion-dollar kickback scheme.

May 31, 2008: Lawmakers pass ethics reforms targeted directly at Blagojevich and his record-setting efforts to collect campaign contributions from state contractors.

July 30, 2008: The Tribune reports that in the month since lawmakers passed an ethics bill outlawing the governor's ability to take donations from state contractors, the governor ramped up his efforts by collecting more than a quarter of a million dollars from those with business before the state.

Aug. 25, 2008: Blagojevich vetoes the ethics bill saying he wants it to be tougher and to include lawmakers as well as him.

Oct. 19, 2008: The Tribune reports that more than three quarters of the $700,000 in real estate commissions earned by Patricia Blagojevich's home-based sales company since 2000 came from state contractors, Blagojevich's family and others with political ties.

Oct. 23, 2008: The Tribune reports that Wyma, the longtime friend and former congressional chief of staff to Blagojevich, is under investigation by federal authorities, who are probing his lobbying activity for at least one hospital client.

Oct. 30, 2008: Springfield millionaire and longtime political power broker William Cellini, who for four decades played an enormous role in Illinois' political leadership, is indicted on charges he extorted campaign contributions for Blagojevich.

Dec. 5, 2008: The Tribune reveals that federal authorities have made covert tape recordings of Blagojevich and that Wyma has cooperated with investigators.

Dec. 9, 2008: F.B.I agents arrest Blagojevich and his chief of staff at their homes on a broad array of corruption charges, including asking for favors in exchange for his selection of a replacement in the senate for President-elect Barack Obama.

Levine, Ali Ata, Rezko,William Cellini,

Remember these names,

This is huge, and will go right to the White House.



This is not just about Blago, he is just the tip of the iceberg,

mark my words

[edit on 103131p://bTuesday2008 by Stormdancer777]

reply to post by kosmicjack


And this scenario is very much within reach of possibility. I'm having a hard time understanding how its so hard to see.

"We're gonna arrest this guy... soon."

"Wait! He's now talking dirt about BoA, we can't let people know about this!"

"Mr. Blagojevich, you're under arrest. We've been planning on arresting you, but we decided that today may be a better day than others to go ahead and shut you up. Don't worry about the MSM media reporting about your little jab at BoA, they'll eat this up and forget all about the rest."

---

Kosmic.. something you can appreciate. "Vote for the crook, it's important!"

reply to post by Stormdancer777


You need to make a thread on the time line of the events leading too the Illinois governor arrest, it deserve its own space.

Ill. Gov. arrested in Obama successor probe

CHICAGO – Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

news.yahoo.com...

There you go, info from Yahoo.

Originally posted by Stormdancer777
Levine, Ali Ata, Rezko,William Cellini,

Remember these names,

This is huge, and will go right to the White House.



This is not just about Blago, he is just the tip of the iceberg,

mark my words

[edit on 103131p://bTuesday2008 by Stormdancer777]

You'd like that wouldn't you?

Too bad you won't get it.

reply to post by Stormdancer777



AWESOME post Stormdancer. That timeline needed to be posted so other posters know what we are talking about.

Look, you can look at the BoA situ.
You can look at the Tribune filing Chapter 11.
You can look at any crooked situation in Illinois.

But he got busted for the "Pay-to-play" politics. THAT'S what the focus of the case against him is. Everything else, as anybody sees it, is secondary. I'd really like Illinois to brighten it's political game, compared now to NJ, LA, MD politics. Dirty. Corrupt. Illegal.

Cuhail

Originally posted by mybigunit

This story is just breaking I just saw it on TV. All I have to say is HOLY CRAP!!!! Now you tell me there isnt some corruption in the banking industry. Is someone going to tell me this TOO is a coincidence? He takes on the banks one day and the next he is sitting in jail. At least he wasnt killed like JFK, Lincoln, or Louis Thomas McFadden. Let this be a lesson to all. You take on the banks you take a dirt nap or get jail time.

www.msnbc.msn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 9-12-2008 by mybigunit]

Sorry, friend. No Conspiracy here. This IS just coincidence. I am a resident of Illinois, and the Feds have been after this douchebag of a Governor for a very long time. Illinois is broke because of this A*hole. He has been stealing the states funds and using them to fatten his own bank account. He's one half of the core reason that Illinois has not joined the Conceal and Carry club with the rest of the country. His fear of getting caught red handed made him fear the armed citizen. DICK Daley is the other half of that problem. Illinois is like it's own little dictatorship. And the Dictator just got taken out.
I live in Illinois, I have several friends that on the state police force. And I knew this was happening last month, before it even hit the news. This piece of crap had this coming, and I hope they put him away for a long time. A*holes like Blago are why this country is in disrepair.

reply to post by niteboy82


Exactly!

And see, sometimes the crook is the better candidate! Nuke Duke!

OMG


check this out!!!!!!!!!!!!

Breaking on Drudge - GRAND JURY SUBPOENAS ISSUED ON REZKO/OBAMA LAND DEAL

www.washingtontimes.com...

Critics of Mr. Obama's dealings with Rezko charge that the senator may have gotten a deal on his property purchase, noting that Mrs. Rezko paid the full asking price for her property on an adjacent lot. Both of which were sold by a single seller. Mr. Obama bought his house for $1.65 million - $300,000 below the asking price. When the property was sold, Mr. Obama knew Rezko was under investigation on fraud charges.

The complaint said the Rezko loan was approved by Mutual Bank President and CEO Amrish Mahajan and others so that Mrs. Rezko could buy a 9,090-square-foot vacant parcel of real estate. It said that in January 2006, Mrs. Rezko and Mr. Obama, along with his wife Michelle, signed an agreement to sell a 10-foot strip of the property to the Obamas. At that point, according to the complaint, Mr. Connor's firm asked him to conduct the reappraisal.

The complaint said Mr. Connor is seeking $4.2 million for compensatory damages, plus unspecified punitive damages.

Rezko was a key supporter and donor throughout Mr. Obama's political career, with the Illinois Democrat estimating that Rezko raised $250,000 for his various political campaigns, though not for his presidential bid. The two were friends who talked frequently about politics and occasionally dined out together with their wives.

Rezko was convicted this summer on federal charges of using his clout with state government to squeeze kickbacks out of firms wanting to do business with the state. The charges did not involve Mr. Obama. Rezko is now cooperating with federal prosecutors in a continuing probe of corruption in Illinois government.

Rezko's talking

www.drudgereport.com...

[edit on 103131p://bTuesday2008 by Stormdancer777]

Originally posted by niteboy82
Looks like someone stepped where they should not have dared stray...

My personal theory on this is that all politicians are kept under watch, and little negative tidbits that can destroy them are always just one "mistake" away from going public if the need arises. It would be so easy to do that I can't see how it wouldn't happen.

Governor Blagojevichjust made his mistake. He screwed with a big bank that doesn't want to be messed with.

[edit on 12/9/08 by niteboy82]

This was my first thought, as well. Some of us oldtimers remember J Edgar Hoover kept files on American Presidents for just such purpose. Today our "esteemed leaders" are all so mired in slime it would be a simple matter to have a file on each person in power who might not walk the chaulk-line to pull the file and make charges, such as this. It also sends a chilling notice to all other people in places of authority to watch their step. Like pulling the strings in a puppet show!

reply to post by Cuhail



Thanks Cuhail, I guess you have to live here to believe how bad it is.

reply to post by Stormdancer777


Have been a former IL resident I can tell you that I am by no means a supporter of Blogo. I knew about his corruption for years. That being said though, doesn't change the fact that the timing for the investigation to have FINALLY produced enough evidence to prosecute him seems a little too convenient.

I agree that tptb are just trying to set an example and send a message to any politician trying to run their mouth. That's one of the things that stinks about being a politician, you know that the banking cartel will try and get any dirt on you so they make sure you play ball.

Everyone needs to set aside their romantic notions of right and wrong and get REAL!

These things happen all of the time. State jobs, land deals, political appointments, whatever. Yes it's wrong. But that is arguable too, everyone tries to influence people when they can. Is it wrong if it doesn't go against public interests or if someone is actually qualified? But the more important question should be why is it wong for some people and not others?

The fact is, there is a hidden architecture of control, influenced by power and money, who decides when it is okay and when it is not. That is the conspiracy.




[edit on 9/12/2008 by kosmicjack]

Originally posted by mybigunit

This story is just breaking I just saw it on TV. All I have to say is HOLY CRAP!!!! Now you tell me there isnt some corruption in the banking industry. Is someone going to tell me this TOO is a coincidence? www.msnbc.msn.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 9-12-2008 by mybigunit]

Before people speak about things they don't understand...in hopes of spinning this into an Obama-hater party....Read the idictment. I just finished reading it along with wiretap transcripts etc.

Our Govenor here in Illinois will be convicted and sent to Federal Prison...right beside our last one. This has nothing to do with the banking industry. Blagojevich was soliciitng bidders for Obama's vacated Senate Seat.

Originally posted by Stormdancer777
MY BIg I have been posting about chicago's corrupt politicians, this is huge and I believe it wil include Obama.

[edit on 083131p://bTuesday2008 by Stormdancer777]

Again read the articles or the federal indictment before spouting nonsense.
Blagojevich was recorded going absolutley nuts because Obama wanted nothing to do with him and wouldn't "offer anything" to get his suggestion appointed.



Examples from the indictment...
The Govenor had soul athority to appoint Obama's replacement to the Senate seat and tried to sell the seat to the highest bidder.

Here is the full Federal Complaint against the IL Govenor.
I have just finished reading it. IF ANYTHING the evidence in this case looks to reaffirm that Obama is not corrupt. There were some wealthy individuals who were willing to pay for the Senate Seat...Obama would not "play ball" or offer anything to encourage the Gov. to appopint his recommendation.

media.npr.org...
The following from the idictment as it pertains to Pres-Elect Obama's suggestion for the seat [Candidate 1]
Link

On November 3, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with Deputy Governor A. This discussion occurred the day before the United States Presidential election. ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Deputy Governor A discussed the potential Senate seat vacancy. During the conversation, ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Deputy Governor A that if he is not going to get anything of value for the open Senate seat, then ROD BLAGOJEVICH will take the Senate seat himself: “if . . . they’re not going to offer anything of any value, then I might just take it.”

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[edit on 12/9/2008 by Badge01]

Originally posted by Question
reply to post by Stormdancer777

 

Have been a former IL resident I can tell you that I am by no means a supporter of Blogo. I knew about his corruption for years. That being said though, doesn't change the fact that the timing for the investigation to have FINALLY produced enough evidence to prosecute him seems a little too convenient.

I agree that tptb are just trying to set an example and send a message to any politician trying to run their mouth. That's one of the things that stinks about being a politician, you know that the banking cartel will try and get any dirt on you so they make sure you play ball.

I understand,

But maybe Blago is playing us!!!!???

In his speech yesterday he taunted the government, and they showed up.

yup,

What I think is intereting and could be overlooked in all this is that Obama has come out in support of the factory workers. Which is good that he's siding with the little people. Could it be that TPTB are using Blago as a warning to Obama? The SCOTUS did throw out that one case about his citinzenship, could also be a reminder to Obama of who holds the cards. Prior to that I don't recall ever hearing the case on any MSM outlet, I could be wrong on that though.

Just some food for thought.

reply to post by maybereal11



I have to GO to work,

but what do you think?


Breaking on Drudge - GRAND JURY SUBPOENAS ISSUED ON REZKO/OBAMA LAND DEAL

www.washingtontimes.com...

reply to post by Stormdancer777



Great post. That timeline is fantastic. Blago is a joke and while the rest of the world is going "ooh he stood up to the banks." Illinois residents are cheering and KNOW better.

The -ONLY- reason Blago stood up to BOA is because he thought it would make him look like a hero before the hammer came down. He knew he was going to be arrested, there was no way he could not. So he got one final moment of good press before he got hauled away.

Good riddens to bad rubbish.

Wonder what will happen when they link some of these corruption charges to Obama? Because I can tell you right now....bedfellows. There's probably not a politician in Illinois that hasn't brushed butts with Blago.