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.

[XR7]

Your tax dollars at work!

[eleni121]

It’s Chicago after all...Capone would understand

[scfischer7]

Blago really has done Nothing for the State. He merely uses up space, air, and money. He should have been recalled like the guy from Cali.

[IndianPrincessOK]

Am I to assume this guy is a Democrat, since there is no mention of party affiliation in the first four paragraphs?

Yes he’s democrat and married to a corrupt politicians daughter....who is also involved in this Rezko/Obama deal.

[piasa]

What Chicago needs is a lot more jumpy milk cows and a lot more kerosene lanterns.

[StAnDeliver]

Yep, you’re on the scent. Hope that Rezko has flipped ... Blago is wagering he hasn’t ... but wow, Bebe Rebozo and Burt Vance are smiling up from hell right now...

[GonzoGOP]

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

Nope 3 out of 5. Edger was probably honest, but had a heart attack and didn't run for reelection.

Thompson was most certainly a RINO crook, but was smart enough to not get caught.

I was joking when I took my son to the capital in Springfield last year that the should paint orange jumpsuits over their portraits.

[TheBlueMax]

Ain’t that the truth!

[bcsco]

Sadly the rest of the state has caught up to the Chicago way of doing things.

Not so. My county West of Chicago is decidedly Republican as are many areas. The problem is Cook County/Chicago and a few other areas have too much power over state machinery. And the Republicans have had a dismal record lately of hosting viable conservative candidates for state offices.

[bcsco]

Are you austinaero because you’re from Austin? I’m originally from Oak Park.

[John123]

No mention which party the guy belongs too... must be a democrat

[Marysecretary]

Like NY state, upstate has no power at all. It’s all downstate or in Albany. Central NY might as well not exist. Except it’s the best part of the state to live in!

[hoosiermama]

BO: tick....tick......tick.....tick

[hoosiermama]

First rule of journalism you never use the obvious....Corruption obviously belongs to the D party, therefore it is never used. It is news, because it’s so rare in the R party, and therefore notated.

[SunkenCiv]

Must have ticked off Daley. ;’)

[Chode]

and the RATS, take another one in the.................................HA ha!!!

[Calpernia]

Oh no way was that an accident! I want to be a cartoon too!

[Calpernia]

Dead People in blue states will never learn when it’s time to throw out the bad regardless of the letter next to their name.

That is better.

[open mind-closed fist]

We cannot even seem to even buy an honest GOV here in Ilinois!

Blagohairguy is an A5S.

[Thunder90]

Obama will pardon him as the first order of business...