Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich will be arraigned today before a federal court after being indicted on 16 counts of racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud earlier this month. Blago is expected to plead not guilty to all the charges, which include allegations that he used pay-to-play politics to sell Barack Obama’s vacant senate seat. The four other people charged, Blago’s former chiefs of staff John Harris and Lon Monk, his top fundraiser Christopher Kelly and Illinois powerbroker William Cellini will be arraigned in the next ten days. (Chicago Tribune)Blago’s woes are threatening to engulf another prominent Chicago Democrat. Two members of Chicago’s Indian community said Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) would raise up to $5 million in campaign funds for Rod Blagojevich in return for Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The sources said that if appointed to the Senate, Jackson would give $5 million from his fundraisers and $1 million from the Indian donors. Jackson confirmed last week that federal prosecutors were investigating his connection to Blago, following the discovery of a tape recording which reportedly captured an emissary for Jackson guaranteeing $1.5 million to Blago in return for the Senate appointment. (Chicago Sun-Times)
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=143852