Blagojevich: Play ALL wiretaps in court

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | February 10, 2010 | NATASHA KORECKI

[opentalk]

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich — famously caught on tape calling a U.S. Senate seat appointment (bleepin’) golden — said today he wants to make sure that the jury that will hear the corruption case against him gets to hear that recording.

And Blagojevich, rather than back away from the tapes that attracted national attention, said he is “laying down the gauntlet” and also wants his future jury to hear everything else he was caught saying on secret FBI wiretaps.

“I’ve instructed my lawyers to petition the court, petition so that every second, every minute, every hour that the government secretly taped me is provided to both sides to be heard and played in court,” Blagojevich said minutes after pleading not guilty in a federal courtroom in Chicago to a new indictment in his case.

“And I challenge the government, I challenge the government: If you are on the side of truth and justice as you say you are, and if this was a crime spree like you claim it was, then don’t hide behind technicalities,” Blagojevich said. “Play all the tapes. Play all the tapes. Play the truth, and play the whole truth.”

Later, Blagojevich’s lawyer, Sam Adam Jr., pulled back a bit from that, saying that the former governor wants every tape played that’s relevant to his corruption case.

“We are saying either side can play any minute of any tape that they wish to play,” Adam said.

Blagojevich said he thinks he can contest the original finding that there was probable cause to believe a crime was committed, which allowed the wiretaps to be placed in the first place.

Still, he pleaded not guilty to a revised indictment today, said he will waive any challenge to the playing of the tapes and will ask that the tapes be played at his June corruption trial in federal court in Chicago.

“I enter a plea of innocent to each and every charge,” the former governor, dressed in a dark suit and red tie, told U.S. District Judge James Zagel.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office had no comment on Blagojevich’s remarks.

Previoiusly, prosecutors have alluded to the hundreds of hours of recordings that have been publicly viewed as a point of strength in their case.

Last week, a federal grand jury in Chicago re-indicted Blagojevich, adding eight new counts to his corruption case. That makes 24 charges the ex-governor now faces.

The new charges were crafted to keep the case on track even if the U.S. Supreme Court decides in a separate case to gut the federal “honest services” law that also was a key to the original charges against Blagojevich.

The former governor faces accusations that include trying to sell an appointment ti fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Obama.

Other allegations include charges that Blagojevich tried to extort Obama White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, then a congressman representing Chicago’s Northwest Side. Blagojevich is accused of holding up grant money to a school in Emanuel’s district because Emanuel’s brother hadn't held a campaign fund-raiser for Blagojevich.

[hoosiermama]

GO to the link and read the second half of the article....There seems to be a relationship.

[onyx]

It’s the trip to Africa and the Blago arrest.
The timing....
I’m with Blago. Play ALL the tapes.
He’s been parading around cocky as all get out and he’s appearing on BOR’s tomorrow night.

[onyx]

On the wiretaps you will find bribary was used exposing Obama’s eligibility and birthplace when the heat was put on the Senate Seat and Blago. Also don’t forget Tony Rezko. Emanuel went to Kenya for a reason and it was not a vacation but a mission. Think folks. Blago is just asking that if the wiretapes are played it will reveal the puzzle that everyone wants to know about Obama. That’s all for now.

And 18 months later, Rezko still has not been sentenced.

[onyx]

I did. I read the whole article.

[hoosiermama]

Blank-O thinks he’s got a “get out of jail free” card. Wonder what he knows?????

[onyx]

Has to be the BC or proof of O’s down low activities on the tape.
:)

[LucyT]

(Reparagraphed.):

On the wiretaps you will find bribary was used exposing Obama’s eligibility and birthplace when the heat was put on the Senate Seat and Blago. Also don’t forget Tony Rezko.

Emanuel went to Kenya for a reason and it was not a vacation but a mission.

Think folks. Blago is just asking that if the wiretapes are played it will reveal the puzzle that everyone wants to know about Obama. That’s all for now.

And 18 months later, Rezko still has not been sentenced.

. . . . Article; #56, and #63.

[Thanks, onyx.]

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[bitt]

see 8

[Red Steel]

We always thought Blago had an ace up his sleeve. Time to play it?

[onyx]

I don’t think he’s holding a busted flush!

[Lancey Howard]

Blago is gonna get a deal. Count on it.

[roses of sharon]

When did Emanuel go to Kenya?

Thanks!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[BP2]

Key “money” lines from the transcript:

* Blagojevich mentions the “trick” of conducting negotiations with Obama “indirectly”
* He hypothetically asks Obama what Obama is willing to offer for the seat, and he again reiterates his intention to assume the seat himself
11/05/08 Blago meets with 0 regarding senate appointment process

[Catsrus]

I know Blago is corrupt, but, I kind of like the guy for some unknown reason. I hope he blows O’s corruption and fills in the blanks for Americans who want to know who this empty suit really is. If he has information that he was born elsewhere, I hope he spills the beans.

This is going to be very interesting.

Does anyone really expect zero to know anyone who isn’t a thug or radical? And, to think these scumbags are walking the halls of our government and stinking up the place.

[Seadog Bytes]

VERY nice!

[MeekOneGOP]

Great great work on the Humpty Blago GIF there, PL !!!!

[STARWISE]

Pray Blago lives ...

[Red Steel]

He went on an "African vacation" in December of 08. It's a bet that Rahmen Noodle Emanuel safaried his way to Kenya.

The Obama administration seems to regularly make themselves available to the Kenyans. Hillary visits Kenyan in August of last year. Obama goes on a 4 nation tour of Africa the a month before in July...close enough to meet with any Kenyan Officials if he wanted to.

And just recently the CIA director stayed 4 days in Kenya with the cover story of terrorism. It doesn't end there. Another trip to Kenya is planned this time by Obama in June. I don't think it has made the US news. See below:

CIA chief visits Kenya over terrorism

-snip-

"Details of Panetta's visit are still scanty, but unnamed police source told the paper that Panetta was on a 'very sensitive' tour.

And

More remotely, Panetta's visit is being linked to the imminent visit to Kenya of President Barack Obama in June.

The Sunday edition of the same paper hinted that President Obama is expected to detour to Kenya on his way to South Africa, where is expected for the official opening of the World Cup Finals. Obama's father was from Kenya."

-end snip-

Gotta keep the Kenyans from letting the birth certificate cat out of the bag.