Posted on 05/25/2011 11:00:39 AM PDT by STARWISE
The Blago Blog - Inside the Rod Blagojevich investigation and related cases
Jackson statement: 'I have many strong feelings' about the case
By Lark Turner on May 25, 2011 11:42 AM
In a statement from Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s lawyer Reid Weingarten, the congressman said he had "strong feelings" about Rod Blagojevich's trial, but wouldn't elaborate.
"As you can imagine, I have many strong feelings about this entire matter," Jackson says in the statement. "My strongest feeling, however, is respect for our judicial system. Therefore, I will have no further comment about the case or how it has affected me until there is a verdict."
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Blagojevich: Jackson on the stand, denies any quid pro quo
By Natasha Korecki on May 25, 2011 11:38 AM By Natasha Korecki and Abdon M. Pallasch
Under oath, Jackson says "No I did not" direct or order anyone to offer Rod Blagojevich fund-raising in exchange for appointing him senator.
"I never directed anyone to raise money for another politician in my life, other than myself, in 16 years," Jackson testified.
Jackson started by talking about the steps he took to try to get Blagojevich to appoint him senator.
He walked into the courtroom unsmiling, biting lower lip. Asked to identify Blagojevich, he smiled and pointed as Blagojevich waved.
He is sitting up straight and testifying very formally.
"I met with editorial boards across the state, instituted a letter-writing campaign of very prominent people to urge him to appoint me... Some local newspapers wrote articles telling me to slow down my self-advocacy," Jackson said.
Jackson recalled the half-hour meeting he held with Blagojevich and Blagojevich's chief of staff John Harris at which he made his pitch for Blagojevich to appoint him senator.
"No I did not" offer any fund-raising in exchange for the appointment, Jackson said.
Jackson produced the binder he brought with him to that meeting, showing what he thought were all his attributes that he felt warranted his appointment as senator.
Jackson only testified for about 10 minutes on direct examination.
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That's it -- Rahm on stand only a few minutes at Blagojevich
By Natasha Korecki on May 25, 2011 11:26 AM
After testifying that no one ever asked him for anything in exchange for his request to get Valerie Jarrett appointed senator, Emanuel was dismissed as a witness. Prosecutors asked no questions.
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Emanuel talks Chicago Academy at Blagojevich trial
By Natasha Korecki on May 25, 2011 11:22 AM By Abdon M. Pallasch and Natasha Korecki
Blagojevich Attorney Sheldon Sorosky asked Mayor Emanuel if his job title of "Mayor of Chicago" was recent.
"Unless your subscription to the newspapers ended recently, yes," Emanuel said to laughter.
(Bit more color from Jackson: Jackson sported an angry, vengeful look when he repeatedly snapped his fingers, mocking Blagojevich's Elvis routine.
Blagojevich flushed, shaking his head, looking amazed. He smiled slightly, shaking his head. He looks uncomfortable, shifting in his chair, mouth agape.)
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Emanuel takes the stand
By Natasha Korecki on May 25, 2011 11:20 AM |
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is taking the stand
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Jackson: Blagojevich's alleged Elvis shakedown By Natasha Korecki on May 25, 2011 11:14 AM
By Abdon M. Pallasch and Natasha Korecki
On cross-examination by prosecutors, Jackson said he was not "on speaking terms" with Blagojevich as he publicly campaigned for the appointment.
"I had no relationship with the defendant whatsoever -- frosty at best," Jackson said.
The two met as fellow congressmen. Jackson initially was going to endorse Blagojevich for governor but did not endorse him in the primary. He did endorse him in the general election.
Former Congressman Bill Lipinski approached Jackson and asked him to donate to Blagojevich's campaign.
"He said Democrats had not had control of the governor's office in 30 years," Jackson said. "He asked for $25,000" for Blagojevich's campaign.
"Did you agree to make a contribution?" Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Niewoehner asked.
"No chance," Jackson replied.
Blagojevich and Mayor Daley came to Washington, D.C. for a visit after the election and Blagojevich approached Jackson, saying, "Let bygones be bygones," Jackson said.
Jackson told Blagojevich that his wife, Sandi Jackson, was interested in working for Blagojevich's administration, Jackson testified.
"I was told to get her resume to Tony Rezko," Jackson said. "I hand-delivered it myself."
"My wife and I were sitting in the living room, watching the governor of the state of Illinois announcing the new director of the Illlinois Lottery, and it was not my wife," Jackson said.
The next time he saw Blagojevich, Jackson said, "I walked in the room and there was a chill in the air. I could see in his face, he wasn't going to be able to do anything for Sandy. The governor came up to me and said, 'I'm sorry the thing with Sandy didn't work out.' I said, 'Not a big deal.'"
Then Jackson dropped the punchline:
"In classic Elvis Presley fashion, he snapped his fingers and said, 'You should have given me that $25,000,' " Jackson testified.
Jackson later put on his best "thank you very much" Elvis rendition to further explain Blagojevich's demeanor.
Prosecutors asked Jackson what he thought Blagojevich meant:
"It became clear to me the governor of the state of Illinois was trading..." Jackson said until he was interrupted by an objection from Blagojevich's attorney.
Prosecutors asked if Jackson took that to mean his failure to contribute cost his wife the appointment.
"That certainly was a factor in the consideration," Jackson said.
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Jackson said Blagojevich hinted he denied Jackson's wife job
By Natasha Korecki on May 25, 2011 10:31 AM
By Abdon M. Pallasch and Natasha Korecki
Jackson testified that Blagojevich hinted he did not appoint Jackson's wife as Illinois Lottery Director because Jackson did not donate $25,000 to Blagojevich's campaign for governor.
After apologizing for not giving his wife the post, Blagojevich, "In classic Elvis Presley fashion, he snapped his fingers and said, 'You should have given me that $25,000," Jackson testified.
..Ping!
Wouldn’t it be nice to see all 3 of them led away in cuffs to prison?
“Jackson says in the statement. “My strongest feeling, however, is respect for our judicial system”
Until it comes to telling the truth under oath. He’s “entitled” to lie.
“Jackson says in the statement. “My strongest feeling, however, is respect for our judicial system”
Until it comes to telling the truth under oath. He’s “entitled” to lie.
do not kid yourself All he needs is 1 brain dead juror and for a vow of silence that juror can be arranged
I said wouldn’t it be nice to see them all handcuffed and led to prison.
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