Posted on 12/25/2008 3:30:06 AM PST by Deetes
Lawyers for embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich want two key aides to President-elect Barack Obama and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. subpoenaed, according to Chicago media reports.
Blagojevich's legal team has asked the Illinois House panel that members of Obama's incoming administration testify before the House impeachment committee, including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, WBBM-TV and the Chicago Sun-Times reported late Wednesday.
Ed Genson, Blagojevich's chief lawyer, said testimony from the aides will prove the governor's insistence that he did nothing illegal to fill Obama's now vacant U.S. Senate seat.
The news comes days after Obama's team released an internal review that confirmed no "inappropriate" discussions had taken place in the Blagojevich probe.
The report said Emanuel was the only adviser to talk to Blagojevich and his top aide John Harris on the subject of the Senate seat. The incoming chief of staff was authorized to pass on the names of four people he considered qualified to take over his seat: Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, Illinois Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Jackson Jr.
Federal prosecutors asked the Illinois House impeachment committee not to delve into the criminal charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday, a request that could hasten a decision on whether to boot Blagojevich from office.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
With those ears he’d better stay off the windy beach.
I don’t think this will go anywhere. Fitz will be replaced and the replacement will say there’s not enough evidence because Fitz was forced to act too soon because of the Tribune bringing it out into the open. Blago has too much mud to sling and the media, dems and repubdems all know it.
Blago may actually look like this sooner than later. Obamacide?
bttt
Gov's Lawyers Want Obama Aides, Jackson To Testify Blagojevich Lawyers Issue Letter Calling For Subpoenas CHICAGO (CBS) ―
With his Lawyer Sam Adam (left) following, Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich (right) arrives at his first press conference since his recent arrest Dec. 19, 2008, in Chicago, Ill.
In a dramatic development in the ongoing impeachment proceedings, lawyers for Gov. Rod Blagojevich want two key aides to President-elect Barack Obama and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to testify before the House impeachment committee.
Sources tell CBS 2 that a letter sent by Blagojevich's lawyers to committee chairman, State Rep. Barbara Currie, asks that the committee subpoena Obama's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and Jackson.
On Tuesday, a transition official disclosed that Obama, Emanuel and Jarrett, have been interviewed in connection with the federal investigation into Blagojevich. The transition official, speaking on a condition of anonymity, also confirmed that Emanuel had been captured on wiretaps taken as part of the investigation.
Blagojevich was charged on Dec. 9 with plotting to use his governor's authority to appoint Obama's Senate replacement and make state appointments and contracts in exchange for cash and other favors. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing and has resisted multiple calls for his resignation, including one from Obama.
In an internal review, released on Tuesday by Obama's team, found that Emanuel was the only Obama adviser to talk to Blagojevich and his top aide, John Harris. The two men have been arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation.
Emanuel had one or two conversations with Blagojevich and four with Harris on the subject of the Senate seat, according to the review.
The report said Obama authorized Emanuel to pass on the names of four people he considered to be highly qualified to take over his seat - Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, Illinois Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Jackson Jr.
"In later telephone conversations, Mr. Emanuel - also with the President-elect's approval - presented other names of qualified candidates to Mr. Harris including Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Ms. Cheryle Jackson," the report said. "Mr. Harris did not make any effort to extract a personal benefit for the governor in any of these conversations. There was no discussion of a Cabinet position, of 501c(4), of a private sector position or of any other personal benefit to the governor in exchange for the Senate appointment."
The report said that earlier, Emanuel recommended Jarrett for the Senate seat without Mr. Obama's knowledge, and Jarrett later accepted the job as a senior White House adviser.
CBS 2 left messages with Blagojevich's attorneys, Ed Genson and Sheldon Sorosky as well as Currie seeking comment.
Small Fire Reported At Rep. Jackson's Home CHICAGO (STNG) ―
A small fire started at the home of U. S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. early Wednesday on the South Side.
At 12:15 a.m. Chicago Fire Department's truck 49, Engine 126 and Battalion Chief 17 responded to a fire in the 2500 block of East 72nd Street, police said.
A still alarm was called for the small fire, according to Fire Media Affairs Cmdr. Will Knight.
The origin of the fire was underneath the main fireplace in the residence and the victims were listed in a police report as U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife, Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th), police said.
No injuries were reported, according to police. http://cbs2chicago.com/local/jesse.jackson.jr.2.894731.html
So take your subpoenas and stick them up your expletive!!!
is this the festivus miracle?
Back atcha!
[can’t you just hear Muttley snickering?]....:)
What a picture . I’m saving that one ;) going to leave a mark :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.