Gov. Rod Blagojevich Is Innocent! Here is Why...

What has happened to the good old days? You know, when delusions were limited to a white Christmas with Santa delivering lots of toys and goodies? Politics and corruption are apparently a place where the delusional can thrive. For example, if the allegations concerning Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich are true, he is nothing short of delusional. Perhaps an even more powerful demonstration of his altered state of mind is his plan to return to work today, a day after his indictment on federal corruption charges. Who in their right mind would not take a sick day after such an experience? Someone who thinks they are or actually is innocent!

What is the basis of the charges? Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, is accused of trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. He is currently out of jail on $4,500 bail. "He's sad, surprised and innocent," Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky told the press. FBI agents also arrested Blagojevich's chief of staff, John Harris. Ironically, Sheldon is probably right. If the charges are true, Blagojevich is probably incapable of being guilty. After all, who in their right mind believes that a governor can sell a Senate seat or a toll way. (See sale of the Indiana Toll Road by Governor Daniels.)

To begin with, did the accused really try to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat in exchange for financial benefits for the governor and his wife, Patti? All that can be said with certainty is that if the allegations are true, Gov. Rod Blagojevich would have to be totally delusional. If he is in fact totally delusional, then he is incapable of having the mens rea to commit the offense. (Lack of capacity to commit the crime.) If he made no such proposals or attempts to bribe, he is innocent. If he did do it, he had to be crazy and therefore, he did not have the mental capacity to understand that what he did was wrong. Therefore he is again innocent. So, folks, don't rush to judgment.

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are attempting to remove the governor's power to fill the vacant Senate seat. If Blagojevich won't sign the law, they will override his veto. Despite the charges, the Governor may still attempt to nominate someone for Obama's replacement. I suspect a nomination of Patrick Fitzgerald, the U.S. Attorney prosecuting charges against the Governor, would cement his case for an insanity defense. Somehow, I doubt that Mr. Fitzgerald would accept.

What does this do to the government's image? The federal government apparently bugged the governor's campaign office, placed a tap on his home phone and listened to the governor talk about wanting possible deals according to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
At first blush, the average citizen has got to wonder if any conversation can ever be considered private in the United States. The most incriminating statement may be when Blagojevich allegedly said of the Senate seat: "I've got this thing and it's [expletive] golden and uh, uh, I'm not just giving it up for [expletive] nothing." That alone tends to prove that the Governor needs to work on his linguistic skills.

Both Blagojevich and Harris face a count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and a count of solicitation of bribery. Based on what has been released to the public, it appears that at times the Governor seemed to discuss the possibly of obtaining a healthy salary for himself at a nonprofit group or an organization affiliated with labor. At other times he mentioned the possibility that his wife might be appointed to a paid corporate board position. During one conversation, Blagojevich allegedly said he needed to consider his family and that he was financially hurting. (Whose 401 K hasn't taken a beating?)

In addition, Blagojevich allegedly suggested that state assistance to the Chicago Tribune would be withheld unless members of the Chicago Tribune's editorial board were fired. "Our recommendation is fire all those [expletive] people, get 'em the [expletive] out of there and get us some editorial support," the governor allegedly said. (Keep in mind that the Tribune owns the Cubs and it has been said that they will never win a world series until h*ll freezes over. With such poor judgment in buying the Cubs, why shouldn't a few people be axed?)

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said, "I recommend to the governor to realize ... that he cannot carry out his responsibilities of office today, and he should, in my opinion, step aside." Quinn said he had not spoken to Blagojevich at length since summer 2007.
Blagojevich, 52, is in his second four-year term as Illinois governor. He served as a U.S. congressman for Illinois' 5th Congressional District from 1997 until 2003. He has two daughters.
The state's last governor, George Ryan, was convicted in April 2006 on racketeering and fraud charges. Ryan reported to a federal prison in Wisconsin in November 2007 to serve a 6½-year sentence. RYAN LEGAL PUB STORY.

UPDATE 1-26-09: Gov. Blagojevich's impeachment trial begins today. But the Governor will not be present. He plans to hit the talk shows instead. Perhaps not a bad move as he will not be under oath at the talk shows!

Update 1-30-09: Gov. Blagojevich was removed as governor by the Illinois Senate despite the governor personally giving the closing argument. The criminal trial is next...

Update 6-2-10: The trial has begun. It could take up to 4 months. Adams one of the attorneys for ex Gov. Blagojevich seems to have a good sense of humor. The judge has ruled that the jurors identity will remain unpublished until after the trial. See comments for more details.

Update 7-21-10: The defense rested without the defendant testifying. The defense did not call a single witness. (Robert Blagojevich, the former governor's brother and a co-defendant, did testify in the prosecution's case in chief.) Outside the Chicago courtroom, Blagojevich told The Chicago Tribune reporters. "Sometimes you've gotta listen to the advice of your lawyers... I've learned a lot of lessons from this whole experience and probably the biggest ... is that I talk too much..."

Update 8-5-10: It appears that the crux of the defense is that Rod Blagojevich talks too much and bullsh*ts way too much. Stupid for a governor yes, criminal no!

Update 8-18-10: After 13 days of deliberations, a federal jury deadlocked Tuesday on all but one of 24 charges against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The jury could not reach a unanimous decision as to whether the former Governor tried to sell an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat. Blagojevich was convicted on a single count of lying to federal agents. The Governor says he will likely appeal. The State claims that they will seek a retrial on the other 23 counts. Just keep in mind, we predicted this one first. Sounds like at least one juror followed the jury instructions as they all promised to do in Voire Dire.

Update 5-31-11: Retrial. This time, the former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich took the stand and testified that he wasn't interested in taking campaign donations in exchange for President Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat. (The defense was much more formalized instead of just coming right out and saying that the governor was just Bullsh!tting.)

Update 6-28-11: Yesterday a jury returned a verdict against the defendant on 17 counts. Rod Blagojevich may face up to 6 years in prison. Perhaps he should not have taken the stand...