Rod Blagojevich bitter over simple Obama thanks on Senate pick

Rod Blagojevich was not pleased when he discovered nothing more than a simple 'thank you' was coming from the new President for selecting an Obama aide to fill out his Senate term.

|
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File
Rod Blagojevich was bitter over a thank you he would receive from President Obama for selecting longtime friend and adviser Valerie Jarrett, seen here in this 2009 file photo with the President and chief of staff Rahm Emanuel(L).

Rod Blagojevich became bitter when told that newly elected President Barack Obama would give him thanks — but nothing else — in return for naming an Obama favorite to the Senate, according to an FBI tape played Thursday at the former governor's corruption trial.

Blagojevich's trial was proceeding after Judge James B. Zagel turned down a defense request for a delay to give attorneys time to study a Supreme Court decision limiting the use of the "honest services" law — the basis for some charges against Blagojevich.

The high court's decision was announced minutes before the start of testimony Thursday.

With former Blagojevich chief of staff John Harris on the stand, prosecutors played an FBI tape on which Harris is heard telling Blagojevich that the Obama camp has sent word that it would be "thankful and appreciative" if Valerie Jarrett were appointed to the Senate seat.

Jarrett, a Chicago businesswoman and former aide to Mayor Richard M. Daley, was a longtime Obama family friend and the president-elect wanted her to have the Senate seat he was leaving.

Blagojevich had allegedly sent word through a labor union official that he would appoint Jarrett if Obama agreed to appoint him as secretary of health and human services.

Blagojevich apparently took the words "thankful and appreciative" as a sign that the Obama camp didn't want such a deal. Jarrett later withdrew her name and is now a White House adviser, and Blagojevich named former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the Senate.

"They're not willing to give me anything but appreciation," Blagojevich is heard saying glumly on tape. Jurors also heard his voice as he punctuated his remark, "(Expletive) them."

Blagojevich, 53, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he schemed to get a large payoff, a high-paying job after he left office or a big campaign contribution in exchange for the Senate seat. He has also pleaded not guilty to conspiring to launch a racketeering scheme using the power of the governor's office.

If convicted, he could face up to $6 million in fines and a sentence of 415 years in prison, although he is certain to get much less time under federal guidelines.

His brother, Robert Blagojevich, 54, has pleaded not guilty to taking part in the alleged scheme to sell or trade the Senate seat and conspiring to put illegal pressure on a potential campaign donor, a racetrack owner who wanted Blagojevich to sign beneficial legislation.

Harris testified that the message that Obama would be "thankful and appreciative" came from Rahm Emanuel, now the White House chief of staff, through lobbyist John Wyma.

Stung, Blagojevich told Harris he could leak word to the media that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s "star is rising" as a possibility for the seat, Harris testified.

Harris said such a leak would be designed to unsettle Obama and his confidants, who Blagojevich believed looked unfavorably on Jackson. Blagojevich made clear in conversations the same day he had no intention of actually appointing Jackson, calling him "a bad guy ... really bad."

But on Nov. 12, 2008, as news broke that Jarrett had received a White House appointment, Blagojevich appears stumped about whom to appoint.

"If not Valerie Jarrett, then who?" Blagojevich asks Harris, seemingly puzzled.

Harris and Blagojevich are heard on tape discussing such obscure state lawmakers as state Rep. Ken Dunkin and state Sen. Ricky Hendon, both Chicago Democrats, as possible U.S. senators.

Zagel had earlier declined a request for even a brief delay in the trial to give defense attorneys a chance to read the Supreme Court decision and see how it might fit in with their strategy.

The law in question — the honest services fraud law — underlies about half the charges against Blagojevich. Among other things, it says public officials may not deny taxpayers their honest services.

Zagel has said the trial is about the former governor's conduct — not the technical question of which law he is charged with violating. The judge said he had given the high court's ruling a preliminary reading and "it may not offer a lot of hope for you."

Prosecutors have indicated that if the Supreme Court struck down or sharply curbed the law they would be prepared to proceed under the remaining charges, dropping the honest services counts.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office declined to comment on the decision.

Related:

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to Rod Blagojevich bitter over simple Obama thanks on Senate pick
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/From-the-news-wires/2010/0624/Rod-Blagojevich-bitter-over-simple-Obama-thanks-on-Senate-pick
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe