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| FBI Agent Testifies in Blago Trial |
An FBI agent in the political corruption trial of ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich testified Wednesday about wiretaps used in the case.
Agent Daniel Cain says there were two hidden microphones in Blagojevich's Chicago campaign office. Agents recorded conversations while sitting in vehicles outside of the office.
Cain also testified that the cell phone of Rod Blagojevich was wiretapped, as was the government office phone of Blagojevich's chief of staff John Harris in the Thompson Center.
It was also revealed Wednesday that John Wyma, a trusted confidant and former aide to Blagojevich, was the first one to come forward and talk with the FBI about Blagojevich's fundraising efforts. At one point the defense asked Cain if he had asked Wyma to wear a wire. Cain said yes but Wyma had refused.
Meanwhile, attorneys for Blagojevich hammered Cain with questions about the recording process, in particular 116 hours of "minimized" tape that cut out portions of conversations. While Cain didn't know the number of hours minimized, he said that minimizing is part of the process during recording.
Defense attorney Aaron Goldstein asked about recordings of Blagojevich speaking with his general counsel Bill Quinlan. Asked if a whole conversation could be minimized, Cain said yes.
The former governor has said he wants all the tapes played and his attorneys echoed that in court as Goldstein asked Cain about conversations Blagojevich has with Quinlan. In opening statements, the defense said Blagojevich had gone to Quinlan many times, seeking a legal decision on different type of campaign fundraising. The impression in the courtroom is that the defense is making it known to the jury that they want any tape of Quinlan and Blagojevich played in court and they fear that the government may have minimized or not recorded conversations with Quinlan that would have proved Blagojevich was raising campaign contributions in accordance to the law.
The FBI made about 5,000 recordings; Cain says about 1,100 are pertinent to the case. The defense contends Quinlan talked with Blagojevich 127 times.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 06 09 10 by Newsroom |
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