(IRN)-Former Governor Rod Blagojevich was apologetic and polite Monday during day two of cross examination in his second corruption trial in as many years. Last week he sent his blessings to sneezing jurors, something that wasn't as frequent Monday, but the apologies to Blagojevich's lawyer and Judge James Zagel continued. The morning began where Thursday's questioning left off, with the prosecution asking Blagojevich about his plan to appoint Lisa Madigan to the U.S. senate seat. On Thursday, Blagojevich said he went to bed on December 8, 2008, the night before he was arrested, thinking he was "a day or two away from making the Madigan deal." Blagojevich clarified Monday, saying, "I thought I was a day or two away from beginning to make that happen."
Questioning moved to Blagojevich's consideration of Valerie Jarrett for appointment to the senate seat. The possibility of Blagojevich getting a job at Health and Human Services surrounded Jarrett appointment talks. "You did not put together a list that would help the people of Illinois for the seat for Valerie Jarrett?" asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar. "Not at that particular moment, in those particular two seconds, no," said Blagojevich, as they referred to transcripts of discussions Blagojevich had in November 2008. "I was hopeful that that was a possibility. That was among the many options that I was exploring. I was discussing a role in Health and Human Services, where I felt I could help the people of Illinois and people across America," said Blagojevich.
Blagojevich's loyalty to Illinois was also called into question, with Schar asking, "You said you wanted to get the f*** out of Illinois?" "I may have told people that from time to time, yes," said Blagojevich. Later, the prosecution noted that Blagojevich's career was a "long-shot". "You applied to Harvard, right?" asked Schar. Blagojevich laughed and said "yes." "You thought you had a chance of getting the Health and Human Services job?" asked Schar. "I have to say honestly, it's like Harvard. I had little to no chance," said Blagojevich.
Before breaking for lunch, Blagojevich clarified why he had a vendetta against the Chicago Tribune editorial board. "I tried to get help for the Tribune Company and go around the legislature to do that. They [the editorial board] were advocating I be impeached," said Blagojevich. "I was saying, 'don't advocate for my impeachment while I'm trying to renovate your ballpark.'"
Later, Schar asked about Blagojevich's relationship with former White House Chief of Staff and current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the mid 2000's. When asked whether he did Emanuel favors so he had "something to point to if [Blagojevich] ever needed a favor" from Emanuel, Blagojevich laughed. "No," said Blagojevich.
At least twice, the former governor answered questions when his legal team objected, one time saying, "Is that ok for me to answer that, to override my lawyer?" During questioning concerning the Children's Memorial "shakedown" for campaign cash and the race-track legislation, Blagojevich maintained that there was no quid pro quo and that he wasn't "crossing any lines." "One's not for the other," he said of campaign cash as an exchange for a bill signing in the case of the race-track legislation, and a fee increase for the hospital.
When Schar alluded to "funds that went to" Blagojevich, the former governor insisted on correcting Schar. Blagojevich clarified that the "funds" were campaign contributions.
He also noted that contributions had no value to him, but that they were important. "I was very scrupulous of never using the campaign funds for personal use. So that's not of value to me, it's political," said Blagojevich.
During questioning pertaining to the Children's Memorial incident, Schar pressed Blagojevich on what a personal phone call from the governor to Children's Memorial CEO Patrick Magoon meant. "You understood, did you not, that delivering that type of financial news might put some pressure on Magoon to make a contribution?" asked Schar. The defense objected, but Blagojevich insisted. "I'll answer that – absolutely not. Sorry Aaron [Goldstein, Blagojevich's lawyer]."
When asked why Blagojevich spent so much time working from home as governor, especially towards the end of his time in office, Blagojevich had a couple of reasons. "I think the most significant thing was…you can't do politics at your government office," said Blagojevich. Later, he said, "It's a lot easier to not have to take a meeting with a legislative leader or a lawmaker" if you're working from home.
Cross examination of the former governor continues Tuesday.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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