Posted on 01/12/2005 5:58:43 PM PST by Land_of_Lincoln_John
CHICAGO - Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked his inspector general Wednesday to investigate accusations by his father-in-law that the governor's administration traded appointments in exchange for campaign contributions.
The father-in-law, influential Chicago Alderman Richard Mell, last week claimed an adviser to the governor had arranged for people to be appointed to state boards and commissions in exchange for $50,000 in contributions to the governor's campaign fund.
In an interview with The Associated Press, the Democratic governor angrily denied Mell's accusations of misconduct and manipulation and called them "reckless and defamatory." He said his inspector general should look into the issue so it can be laid to rest.
"The inspector general has been asked to look into the allegations," Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said.
The inspector general, Zaldwaynaka "Z." Scott, said her office would have jurisdiction over that type of a complaint. But she said state ethics laws prevent her from saying whether she is investigating a specific complaint.
Mell made his accusations during a public argument with Blagojevich after the governor closed a landfill run by a distant cousin of his wife. Mell accused Blagojevich of shutting down the landfill to punish him for criticizing the governor in the past and to polish his public image.
Blagojevich ordered the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to investigate Land Reclamation Services Inc. after the cousin, Frank Schmidt, allegedly told customers he could evade permit requirements because of his family ties. The governor asked the environmental agency to shut down the landfill after an investigation found multiple violations there.
Mell did not return calls for comment Wednesday.
Mell, a Democratic political heavyweight credited with helping get his son-in-law elected governor, said Tuesday that the public dispute must end for the good of the family.
"This is something that is going to be put to rest today," Mell said, choking back tears. "What was done was regrettable, I think. I'm hoping that there's a possibility of repairing this."
thought you'd get a kick outta this
Illinois politics. Rod Serling could not dream this stuff up.
That's a vast undserstatement. Alderman Mell used his machine ward-heelers to strong-arm Blago into the state legislature, then Congress (where he got one bill passed in six years) and then as governor.
I have to laugh whenever the feds discuss cleaning up corruption in Chicago. They've been trying since before Capone without much success.
Looks like it's going to be a very busy month!
Mell, although a part of the Daley machine, actually vied with old man Daley quite a bit in the early 70s.
Mell was always a powerful North side alderman who was a warlord over his little fiefdom. He had his own impressive little patronage army 30 years ago.
Still does.
It's an old lawyers' trick. Wrap a slice of strong fresh onion in a handkerchief and wipe the eyes with it. The more you wipe, the more the tears.
Glad I left years ago, it still nauseates me LOL John.
My twin brother is still a captain of 2 north side precincts. He always says "People ultimately get what they deserve."
What a sad farce.
Makes me proud to call Illinois my home ... /sarcasm off.
hehehe, let's hope so
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