Feds taped Blagojevich

Chicago Tribune ^ | December 5, 2008 | Jeff Coen

[dinoparty]

Federal investigators recently made covert tape recordings of Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the most dramatic step yet in their corruption investigation of him and his administration, the Tribune has learned.

As part of this undercover effort, one of the governor's closest confidants and former aides cooperated with investigators, and that assistance helped lead to recordings of the governor and others, sources said.

The cooperation of John Wyma, 42, one of the state's most influential lobbyists, is the most stunning evidence yet that Blagojevich's once-tight inner circle appears to be collapsing under the pressure of myriad pay-to-play inquiries.

Wyma, Blagojevich's chief of staff when he was in Congress, has long been one of the few advisers trusted by Blagojevich and kept in the loop on matters of policy and politics. As the federal probe intensified, Wyma met privately with the governor and his former chief of staff at the governor's campaign headquarters on the North Side for 90 minutes on Oct. 22.

[dinoparty]

Didn't see this posted.

[Gay State Conservative]

Corruption in Illinois politics? Nah...I wouldn't believe it for a minute.

[WayneS]

Couldn’t happen to a nicer d!@k-weed.

[ExSoldier]

I don't live there and have never even contemplated a visit. Still, I know he's one of the most antigun politicians in the nation. This comes as a sweet pre Christmas present indeed for folks like me and the NRA, GOA, CCRKBA, JPFO, et al.

[Abathar]

Nailing him will make it three for three of Il governors won’t it?

Baraq’s political schoolyard sure has turned out some great role models for his tutoring...

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Who’d a thunk it ?

[originalbuckeye]

Illinois used to be Conservative. Eons ago my great aunt worked for Everett Dirksen (R,Senator)in DC. Chicago has been a cesspool of Dems for decades. Sadly the rest of the state has caught up to the Chicago way of doing things.

[niteowl77]

I knew that Blago wasn't enough of a team player for the Daley/Obama machine, but I didn't think they'd make sure he never played the piano again.

Mr. niteowl77

[Lockbox]

Nailing him will make it three for three of Il governors won’t it?

Three? Wonder if you could use RICO on the state?

[reagan_fanatic]

Well, if things don't work out as Governor, Blago can always apply as an extra on The Simpsons.

[kenmcg]

Hang in there Blagojevich!!! A new justice department next month will save your corrupt hide.

[austinaero]

Geesh,,,Blago could be bought for $25K? Seems rather cheap to me.

[austinaero]

“Nailing him will make it three for three of Il governors won’t it?”

Not quite, 2 for 2. Jim Edgar, the Republican Governor before Ryan was pretty decent. Left the state with a surplus, did some good stuff AND had a high approval rating. He wasn’t scandal-ridden. I met him briefly because I worked for the medical team at the time who was taking care of his cardiac problems. Very nice and personable, even when he didn’t feel so hot.

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

In recent months, Rezko and his attorneys have been in talks with federal prosecutors about a cooperation deal. But this week Rezko received a January court date for his sentencing, an indication there is no deal.

< /bull crap meter > off, means Obama will pardon him.

[YOUGOTIT]

Of all the stories I have read about this has anyone seen him referred to as the Democrat Governor of __________?

If he was a Republican it would be the first name in all stories and TV casts.

[Oldexpat]

Zero will fire Fitzgerald the US Attorney and have these investigations swept under the carpet.
We could hope for an indictment before 20 Jan. but things move slowly with the Fed.
IL was slowly taken over by Chicago. “Down State” has no power left at all. Chicago thugs run the place.

[KeyLargo]

[Ozone34]

Don’t forget Otto Kerner, my boyhood gov of Arlington Race Track fame.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Illinois used to be Conservative. Eons ago my great aunt worked for Everett Dirksen (R,Senator)in DC. Chicago has been a cesspool of Dems for decades. Sadly the rest of the state has caught up to the Chicago way of doing things.

It's all about the demographics.

Those who make the babies make the future.

[BobinIL]

Wrong-o, the rest of the country is going to get a taste of it. They just elected a typical Chicago thug to the highest office in the land. This country had better “Brace for impact” because the poo is going to hit the fan