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| Former Dep. Governor Continues at Blago Trial |
What's best for the people of Illinois, or best for himself? That's the question that ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich pondered while deciding on a U.S. Senate appointment, according to one witness in Blagojevich's political corruption trial.
According to former deputy governor Bob Greenlee, Blagojevich had two favorites among a list of potential candidates for Senate: Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Chicago).
It’s not the first time those two names have come up in the trial but Greenlee’s testimony puts into perspective a type of dilemma Blagojevich was creating for himself.
On one hand, Blagojevich considered Madigan if her father, House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), would agree to pass Blagojevich's agenda that included a capital plan. On the other hand, Jackson had, according to Blagojevich, "tangible, political, support...specific amounts and everything." Greenlee took that to mean the ability to raise campaign funds.
Those names came up in a phone call between Greenlee, Blagojevich and a Washington, D.C. lobbyist. But in a follow up call, Blagojevich is heard telling Greenlee that the earlier call was pretext to make those in Washington believe that Blagojevich was seriously considering Jackson. It was a way to gain leverage for appointing himself or being appointed to a cabinet position. Greenlee says at the time, he didn't believe that it was all a hoax.
Greenlee also testified that Blagojevich asked him to pull back on increases in Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals. At the time Greenlee says he didn't know why. The prosecution will begin to try and show that the governor held it up in order to get campaign cash from Children's Memorial Hospital.
Greenlee will remain on the stand when the trial resumes Monday.
Meanwhile, the prosecution has said they will likely rest their case on Tuesday.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 07 08 10 by Newsroom |
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