Rod Blagojevich is not exactly Al Capone but not exactly innocent either. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

The trial of disgraced former governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich has just concluded. After two weeks of deliberation, the grand jury returned only a single guilty verdict. Blagojevich was only convicted of one count of lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sentencing will soon follow, and he could face up to five years in prison for giving false statements to government officials. Federal prosecutors have already announced they fully intend to re-try Blagojevich.

Jury renders verdict after two weeks

Rod Blagojevich was arrested two years ago in connection with federal surveillance that indicated he was trying to sell the seat in the United States Senate vacated by Barack Obama. In the time between then and the verdict, he was impeached and removed from office. He faced 24 different accusations of corruption. After two weeks, the jury, which had been mostly deadlocked before then, came back with only one clear verdict. The judge declared a mistrial on 23 of the 24 accounts and announced the guilty verdict on one count of providing a false statement to the FBI.

U.S. Attorney will file for a retrial

According to the New York Times, officials from the U.S. Attorney’s office said they will attempt to retry Blagojevich. He was still convicted, after all, of one count of lying to the FBI. Making false statements to the FBI is a federal crime, that carries a fine of up to $250,000 or up to five years in prison, or both. Some people might be hoping for both.

Balgojevich seen as stereotypical Chicago politician

Chicago, Ill., has a long history of political corruption. The previous governor before Rod Blagojevich, George Ryan, was also removed from office and convicted. Ryan was sent to federal prison for corruption. It’s unknown what the fate of Rod Blagojevich will be, as he still has a second trial in his future. He could end up serving all five years in prison.

Further Reading

New York Times

A Blagojevich Obama subpoena may be just a dodge. From Wikimedia Commons.

The case against disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is progressing, and his defense team plans to attempt to call President Obama to the stand.  A Blagojevich/Obama subpoena could mean nothing.  It may also spell disaster for either the indicted ex-politician or the president.  The kind of legal team necessary for this case would send anyone running for a no fax cash advance at least. It wouldn’t be the first time a sitting president has been given a subpoena to testify, but there is a wide latitude in avoiding the witness chair should he be served.

Blagojevich Obama ties do exist

Allegations of Blagojevich/Obama ties have been surmised since the former governor was arrested and later thrown out of office.  President Obama was a Senator in the state where Rod Blagojevich was governor, and they are familiar.  The judge presiding over Blagojevich’s trial, District Judge James Zagel, for trying to sell a Senate seat has been requested to subpoena the President, as the defense claims President Obama has knowledge relating to the alleged events.  So far, there doesn’t seem to be any suggestion of impropriety on the part of the President, though it seems he did offer notes on proposed replacements in the Senate.

Motion accidentally leaked

The motion filed with the court by the defense was leaked onto the internet.  Parts of it were blacked out when posted. It was discovered, however, that the blacked out portions would be uncovered if copied and posted out of the online court document. A link is available on Fox News.  It isn’t known if President Obama has pertinent information, or if Blagojevich needs small loans for more smoke and mirrors.

Senator Durbin subpoenaed; judge advises less showboating

It is getting widely covered that Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) has been subpoenaed as well.  Durbin has maintained his innocence of any wrongdoing. He says barely spoke with Blagojevich, and only spoke with him concerning replacements to the vacant seat. Meanwhile, according to the Chicago Tribune, Judge James B. Zagel advised Blagojevich that he would not subject a jury to all 500 hours of FBI tapes of his conversations.  He also admonished him to knock off all the showboating.

What if he does subpoena the President?

If the Blagojevich/Obama subpoena were to go through, there are several things that can happen.  The president is, after all, the president.  National security matters and scheduling could prevent his testimony, and those are perfectly valid excuses.  Rod Blagojevich, meanwhile, could face up to 20 years if he is convicted.

Are they responsible for the Illinois earthquake? I think not. (Photo: daily44.wordpress.com)

No Barack Obamas, Rod Blagojeviches or Roland Burrises were harmed in the making of this story. Thankfully, Mothra avoided the Chicago area and Ronald Jones of Southland avoided utility shut off with the help of payday loans. Yet there was an Illinois earthquake anyway.

The Illinois earthquake came before dawn

MSNBC reports that the 3.8 magnitude Illinois earthquake was felt as far away as Iowa and Indiana, but the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that no damage or injuries were reported. It began around 4 a.m. Wednesday in an area about 50 miles northwest of Chicagoland. Needless to say, an Illinois earthquake, Chicago earthquake or whatever you want to call it is exceedingly rare. Luckily it was small – or as a Sycamore Fire Department spokesman told the media, “just a little shake.”

Kane County – the next fault line?

Not exactly, but Sheriff’s had to deal with a large influx of calls from startled residents. dispatchers near the epicenter in Kane County have been flooded with calls from startled residents. Books were tossed from their shelves and some residents were tossed from their beds according to Sheriff’s dispatcher reports, but it was nothing too serious.

If this had indeed been an Illinois earthquake emergency, the twin fairy princesses would have appealed to the great Mothra to spare the people of Chicagoland. Interpretive dance would have ensued, and surely someone has misplaced their dancing shoes. Quick payday loans would be imperative.

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