Federal agents have taken Democratic Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris into custody on federal corruption charges, alleging, among other things, that he essentially put up Obama's former Senate seat up for auction to whomever could hook him up with prestigious post-governorship employment, or land him the greatest financial benefits. According to the New York Times, one of the candidates, referred to as "Candidate 5" approached Blagojevich with an offer of half a million dollars for the seat. The entire episode has taken on a kind of special two-part episode of Law and Order level of intrigue, as it turns out Blagojevich's longtime aide, John Wyma, participated in the investigation and helped the feds secure part of the recordings being used to make the case against him.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who prosecuted former Cheney Chief of Staff I. Lewis Libby on perjury charges, led the investigation. He released a statement describing the breadth of the corruption charges as "staggering." Blagojevich was already under investigation for exchanging state and commission appointments, as well as jobs and contracts, for financial compensation. Blagojevich also allegedly conspired with Harris to have members of the Chicago Tribune editorial board fired in exchange for greasing the sale of Wrigley Field, which is owned by the Tribune Co.
Pretty tawdry stuff, if it's true. Yesterday Blagojevich denied he was in any trouble, saying "I don't believe there's any cloud that hangs over me. I think there's nothing but sunshine hanging over me." Blagojevich is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan sometime today.
I'm not sure how you conspire to auction off the president-elect's former Senate seat while being completely aware that you're under investigation and that one of your closest friends is wearing a wire.
--A. Serwer
