Blagojevich Corruption Jury Begins Deliberating Verdict on Ex-Governor
Rod Blagojevich’s federal corruption trial is in the hands of jurors after a U.S. judge instructed them on the law they must apply to the indicted former Illinois governor and told them to decide the facts.
Blagojevich, 53, a Democrat, is accused of trying to profit from his office. Prosecutors say he conspired with his brother and co-defendant, Robert Blagojevich, trade official acts for campaign cash. They face as long as 20 years in prison if convicted on the most serious counts.
“If you find a defendant guilty, it will then be my job to decide what punishment will be involved,” U.S. District Judge James Zagel in Chicago told the 12-member jury today.
Twice-elected to the state’s top office, Rod Blagojevich was arrested in December 2008 and later indicted for linking official acts, including selecting President Barack Obama’s Senate successor, to campaign contributions and personal favors.
He was removed from office for abuse of power in January 2009 by the Illinois Legislature.
“Now it’s a period where we have to wait, and express our appreciation to the men and women who are sitting on the jury who have taken time out of their busy schedules, out of their lives to do their duty,” the former governor, holding hands with his wife, Patti, told reporters in the courthouse lobby after today’s proceedings. “They’re now the ones who’ll decide.”
Recorded Conversations
The trial started with jury selection on June 3 and included six weeks of testimony. Jurors heard recorded conversations, obtained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation through wiretaps, in which the governor, his brother and close advisers discussed pending initiatives -- including the Senate seat appointment -- and fundraising.
The former governor faces 24 counts; Robert Blagojevich, 54, who was chairman of his brother’s campaign finance committee in 2008, faces four counts.
Robert Blagojevich today told reporters he is “optimistic” he will be found innocent. Asked if he feared being convicted if jurors convict his brother, the former U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel said, “I listened to the judge’s instructions, so I’ve got confidence they’ll make the distinction.”
‘Strained’ Relationship
Robert said the relationship with his brother is “strained.”
Zagel told jurors that they must separately weigh the proof for each count against the former governor and his brother and as against each man individually. He also told the panel that a defendant could be convicted of aiding and abetting for trying to help a criminal conspiracy to succeed.
Rod Blagojevich is charged with two counts of bribery and, with his brother, bribery conspiracy.
“Solicitation of a campaign contribution, by itself, does not constitute bribery,” Zagel said. The official must ask for money or property directly or indirectly, believing it will be given in exchange for an official act.
The jury’s verdict must be unanimous.
The jury is composed of six men and six women. Two of the women and one of the men are black. Another man is Asian. The rest are white. One is the daughter of a policeman, another the son of a lawyer, according to answers they gave Zagel during jury selection.
Two of the men said they are U.S. Navy veterans while two other men said they served in the Marine Corps. One of the former Marines told the court he was born in the Manzanar detention camp in California established for Japanese- Americans during World War II.
In the courthouse lobby, defense attorney Sam Adam Sr., who was a part of the trial team, praised the performance of his son, Blagojevich defense lawyer Sam Adam Jr., who was born 38 years ago today.
Asked what he wanted for his birthday, the younger Adam replied, “A not guilty verdict would be very nice.”
The case is U.S. v. Blagojevich, 08-cr-00888, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Chicago).
To contact the reporter on this story: Andrew M Harris in Chicago at aharris16@bloomberg.net.
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