Posted on 06/08/2010 4:05:30 PM PDT by STARWISE
In their opening statement, prosecutors said Rod Blagojevich governed Illinois under a three-word mantra: “What about me?” — a reference to Blagojevich allegedly using state government to enrich himself.
But in his opening statement, Blagojevich defense attorney Sam Adam Jr. told jurors to heed three other words as the ex-governor’s criminal trial unfolds: “Follow the money.”
Adam — at times pacing the courtroom and shouting at the top of his lungs — emphatically told jurors that Blagojevich went “broke” in his later days as governor. It’s one of many signs of Blagojevich’s innocence, he said.
“He’s broke. He’s broke. You know why he’s broke, ladies and gentlemen?” Adam said. “It’s not hard. He didn’t take a dime.”
Adam also said that Blagojevich was “fooled” by some of the people in his inner circle: namely his former chief of staff and best friend, Lon Monk — who has pleaded guilty to crimes tied to Blagojevich — and Tony Rezko, who is behind bars after being convicted on corruption charges involving Blagojevich’s administration.
Adam referred to Rezko as “the Bernie Madoff of Chicago.” Any criminal schemes that Rezko was part of, he said, were done without Blagojevich knowing.
“He was fooled. Absolutely fooled,” Adam said. “You’re gonna know it because you’re gonna spend four months with him. And you’re going to see how it happened.”
Adam also told jurors Blagojevich is “probably one of the most insecure men you’re ever going to see.” But he also said Blagojevich was fighting on behalf of everyday people, trying to manage multibillion state budget deficits by not raising taxes.
Adam also took aim at prosecutors’ conclusions that Patti Blagojevich was part of her husband’s criminal scheme by getting $150,000 in sham real estate consulting fees and commissions from Rezko.
Adam said she did legitimate work for the money at a time when Rezko was widely regarded as an upstanding businessman. “She did her job and she got her commission,” he said.
In addition, Adam admitted that Blagojevich’s political fund-raisers worked arduously to raise money for the Friends of Blagojevich campaign fund. But he insisted there were never any government deals awarded in exchange for those contributions.
“Did they take an aggressive attitude with fund-raising? Yes,” Adam said. “Did they break the law? No.”
Blagojevich is standing trial with his brother, Robert, who became Rod Blagojevich’s top campaign fund-raiser in August 2008. Before Adam’s theatrics, Robert Blagojevich’s lawyer, Michael Ettinger, offered his opening statement, telling jurors that Robert Blagojevich, too, did nothing wrong.
“Robert followed the rules,” Ettinger said. “Let me promise you, the evidence will show Robert followed the rules.”
Ettinger spent a good chunk of his time debunking allegations that the Blagojevich brothers conspired to sell Barack Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat. The seat became vacant when Obama became elected president, and Blagojevich had the sole authority to fill the vacancy under Illinois law.
Prosecutors allege the Blagojevich brothers were trying to get a job for Rod Blagojevich or campaign cash in exchange for the appointment. Ettinger said Robert Blagojevich actually turned down offers to do just that, telling people, “ ‘Money will not be a factor in my brother’s choice for the Senate seat. It will be what’s best for the people of the state of Illinois,’ ” Ettinger said.
In his opening statement, Adam also dismissed the government’s Senate seat charge.
“There was nobody buying or selling nothing,” he said.
Wasn’t this guy on Dancing with the Stars?
Celebrity Apprentice
Very clever use of the double negative.
“Bull Obama” to both those claims.
No buying or selling nothing, eh?
I believe we all heard Blago’s attitude towards ‘giving away’ a Senate seat. Obviously he thought it should be sold to the highest bidder.
When you know you're screwed...YELL. Sometimes it IS effective to a jury, even if youre still a slimeball.
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