Posted on 10/20/2009 8:12:17 PM PDT by STARWISE
Even before he was elected governor in 2002, Rod Blagojevich and three of his closest friends schemed about ways to enrich themselves by controlling state government, the former governor's former chief of staff alleged as part of a plea agreement today with federal prosecutors.
When Blagojevich took office, his three friends became key players in his administration and met repeatedly with the governor to share moneymaking ideas and get updates on their plans to bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars that they could split up later, former top aide Alonzo "Lon" Monk alleged.
Monk, who also was a groomsman at Blagojevich's wedding and twice his campaign manager, pleaded guilty in the sweeping corruption case and agreed to testify against the former governor in exchange for a recommended sentence of two years in prison.
The picture Monk gave prosecutors is in sharp contrast to the image Blagojevich has been trying to present since his Dec. 9 arrest. Portraying himself as the victim of overzealous prosecutors, Blagojevich has crisscrossed the nation touting his book about the ordeal, watched his wife on a reality TV show and agreed to be on one himself.
Pulling back the curtain on how Blagojevich and his cohorts allegedly went about their plan, Monk's plea suggests a possible pattern of political crimes that took place well before Blagojevich allegedly offered the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama to the highest bidder.
As part of his deal, Monk told prosecutors that he, Blagojevich and key fundraisers Antoin "Tony" Rezko and Christopher Kelly repeatedly met about how the four of them could secretly make money through state deals, offering the most specific account yet of how the alleged conspiracy in the case formed.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagobreakingnews.com ...
Ping!
Hope doesn’t accidentally shove a bottle of aspirin up his ass
“Yep .. Rezko was flush with cash. Will he or another Swamp insider eventually flush out someone else?”
Right. Thers’ no way Zero can’t be involved in this web of Chicago corruption.
Will any if these turds that are flying around ever stick to the White Crib?
Careful Monk, you might end up choking on a lot of aspirins. It’s the new Chicago way.
Notice how that guy is awfully quiet ?
I think I read back a few months that he was
appointed to some judicial panel .. perhaps
some mackdaddy candy from on high.
And he shared a podium with Holder this summer,
who graciously let him do much of the speaking,
about a huge drug cartel bust. More mackdaddy
candy ..dunno.
On another note, Blago’s got those big scary Feds
a bit nervous.
###
Feds worried about Blagojevich TV appearance
By MIKE ROBINSON (AP) – 1 day ago
CHICAGO — Prosecutors said Monday they are worried about what ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich might say on Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” TV show that could taint the jury pool for his federal corruption trial.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gcuCwhGJ2_LDn8Od-TUTXNl0NZoAD9BED9381
Frankly, after reading the article, I don’t see that much that will aid the Prosecutors in their case. It’s all inference without any actuality. Inferring they were scheming to make money, but no actual deals to point to, with the one exception of the hospitals having to jump thru hoops to get Blago to sign off on legislation. All the rest is pretty much hearsay. So, I don’t think this guy Monk is going to be very much help to the Prosecution case.
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