By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com If you figured the testimony of ex-Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich at his retrial on corruption charges in downtown Chicago would be filled with shenanigans and piss off the judge, well…. you guessed right. First off, the U.S. District Judge James Zagel on Wednesday got angry after Blago tried “smuggling” in evidence…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com Ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich was once known for his political prowess. But in the past 18 months or so he’s been known more for being an entertaining sort. He’s appeared on Letterman. And the Daily Show. And he did a commercial promoting pistachios. And he went on The Celebrity Apprentice with The…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com Well, that was quick. After just 2 1/2 weeks of testimony, the prosecution in the federal retrial of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to rest its case on Thursday, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The first trial took 11 weeks, most of which was taken up by the prosecution presenting it case…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com The retrial of Rod Blagojevich is putting more people than just the chatty ex-governor on the defensive. The Chicago Sun-Times on Monday reported that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) adamantly denied that he had fundraisers offer Blago about $1 million in campaign contributions in exchange for getting the Senate seat…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com Federal prosecutors, after stumbling the first time around, unveiled a blueprint Monday for what they hope is a new and and improved case against ex-Ill. Rod Blagojevich. The Chicago Tribune reports that in opening statements the prosecution presented a “much slimmer, more focused version of the government’s corruption case.” The first…
By Allan Lengel ticklethewire.com When it came to loyalty, the Illinois State Police chose the FBI over Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that in the Fall of 2008, the Illinois State Police, tasked with protecting the governor, passed on a chance to help him find listening devices at his North Side campaign…
