Legal Commentary

Prosecution Files Evidentiary Submission Against Rod Blagojevich

By Jeralyn

A federal judge today unsealed a 91 page evidentiary submission by the Government in its case against former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. (Available here.)

The submission, called a "Santiago Proffer" outlines the co-conspirator statements the Government hopes to introduce against Blagojevich and his brother Robert at trial in June.

Anton Rezko is very prominent in the filing. So is Blago's alleged failed attempt to control the selection of a U.S. Senator from Illiniois.

The proffer also details what it calls unearned real estate commissions paid by Rezko to Patti Blagojevich which was used to renovate their home.

Blagojevich has released a statement in response to the filing saying there's nothing new here:

"It's the same old false allegations and lies," he said. "I'm looking forward to trial so the truth comes out and everyone will see that I am innocent."

In a nutshell, here are the players and the gist of the allegations [More...]:

Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich’s wife, defendant Robert Blagojevich, Christopher Kelly, Antoin Rezko, Alonzo Monk, Stuart Levine, Sheldon Pekin, Joseph Car, Jacob Kiferbaum, William Cellini, John Harris, Deputy Governor A, Individual I, Advisor A, Advisor B, and others conspired to use the powers of the Office of the Governor of the State of Illinois to take and cause governmental actions in order to obtain financial benefits for themselves and others, including campaign contributions for Rod Blagojevich, and employment for Rod Blagojevich and his wife.

Patti Blagojevich has not been criminally charged.

More details here.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 14, 2010 (boomark / email).