Posted on 12/14/2008 5:53:36 PM PST by jimbo123
Conventional wisdom holds that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald ordered the FBI to arrest Rod Blagojevich before sunrise Tuesday in order to stop a crime from being committed. That would have been the sale of the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
But the opposite is true: Members of Fitzgerald’s team are livid the scheme didn’t advance, at least for a little longer, according to some people close to Fitzgerald’s office. Why? Because had the plot unfolded, they might have had an opportunity most feds can only dream of: A chance to catch the sale of a Senate seat on tape, including the sellers and the buyers.
The precise timing of Tuesday’s dramatic, pre-dawn arrest was not dictated by Fitzgerald, nor was it dictated by the pace of Blagojevich’s alleged “crime spree.” It was dictated by the Chicago Tribune, according to people close to the investigation and a careful reading of the FBI’s affidavit in the case.
At Fitzgerald’s request, the paper had been holding back a story since October detailing how a confidante of Blagojevich was cooperating with his office.
Gerould Kern, the Tribune’s editor, said in a statement last week that these requests are granted in what he called isolated instances. “In each case, we strive to make the right decision as reporters and as citizens,” he said.
But editors decided to publish the story on Friday, Dec. 5, ending the Tribune’s own cooperation deal with the prosecutor.
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.wsj.com ...
Fitz has been taping Blago since Oct., weeks before the talk about the Senate seat started. There was the Tribune situation and also other pay to play crimes being investigated. The Senate seat pay to play fell into Fitz's lap. It was an unexpected bonus.
Someone was about to blow the lid off the investigation, either from the Tribune, Blago's staff or possibly Obama (but I don't think so because I don't think they knew about it).
The timing of the arrest coming early in the morning shows the FBI wanted the element of total surprise and not give Blago or his accessories to the crimes any time to collaborate or destroy evidence. At the same time of the arrests, other FBI agents were at the doorsteps of others in on those phone calls, asking them questions. They didn't take any chances that those involved would alert each other as to what was coming down.
Interestingly enough, JJ, Jr., received a phone call the night before the arrests. He wasn't surprised at 6 AM, but he wasn't personally taped in the phone calls. What to make of that, I don't know.
Like someone in the court where Fitz got the OK for the wire taps?
Don't know if this is an answer to your question, but the Tribune was subpoena'd for any records they had pertaining to Blago's bribe about the Cubs and the firing of the editorial board. They would know of the federal investigation at that point.
The RINO is the scum of the Earth and the enemy within.
We need to pick them up by the seat of the pants and toss the trash over to the Democommie Dumpster where they belong.
Let us set up a committee to determine who stays in the GOP and who leaves.
You're talking apples and oranges here. When there is imminent danger of someone being hurt or killed, yes, investigators will intervene and stop further crimes. HOWEVER, in the cases of fraud, bribery, conspiracy, etc, it's absolutely standard procedure to let the operation play out to it's fullest conclusion. This is similar to a drug buy. Do investigators jump in just as soon as the bagman (seller) shows up? Hey, there's already a crime having been committed (possession). Or do they wait for the buy to go down and get them both? Fitzgerald stopped the investigation short of the actual selling of the Senate seat for someone, as of yet unknown, reason. If it would have been completed, we'd know more who was actually doing the buying. Blago was just the bagman and wanted top price for what he had to sell. We still don't know who the buyer was.
I believe that Obama is clueless. A rookie. His puppet master dictate this thing, not Obama. He is thoroughly insulated.
THAT is the million dollar question!
Thanks for the background info/link in post #28. Is Cam covering up for those covering up the coverup of the crime?
Looks like we are at the beginning of what could become a long, complicated and damaging mess for Team Obama.
You are right.....
bumpity uppity
The possibility that the Tribune and Emanuel were in contact with information on the investigation is likely a good one. While the Obama camp may have been in negotiations early on, events around November 10-13 seem to reflect an change in direction...
From your mouth to God’s ears. I’m a Cub fan from L.A.
The tribune obstructed an ongoing investigation. They should be prosecuted.
Man, you guys, have no idea how heartbreaking this is to a native of Chicago. I was born there and I lived there until I left for college at age 16. When I was in grade school, I took a field trip to Tribune Tower. The building alone is amazing with all the “souvenirs” of famous sites embedded in its facade. Every morning from the age of eight, I read the Trib. McCormick was a hero! What an ignominious ending for such a venerable institution.
Fields, the Trib, the South Side ... all gone. I feel very old. McCormick must be rolling in his grave.
Precisely! If this is true, the Trib editor and the reporter deserve to be charged Obstruction of Justice in a Federal Investigation -- where is the question mark?
““shut down the whole operation before it got too close to Obama”
The most likely scenario.”
Without a doubt !!!!!
EODGUY
Will ANYTHING ever cure the RAT infestation in Illinois?
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