Jurors in the Rod Blagojevich corruption retrial have found the former Illinois governor guilty on 17 counts, not guilty on 1 count and were hung on 2 counts.
Verdict Summary
Guilty Not Guilty No Verdict
17
1
2
The counts included wire fraud, extortion, bribery, conspiracy to commit extortion and conspiracy to solicit bribes. The 20 counts involved five schemes: the marquee allegation of attempting to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat; shaking down Children’s Memorial Hospital; shaking down the Illinois Road Builders Association; attempting to extort a race track owner; and attempting to extort then-Congressman Rahm Emanuel.
The following is a list of those schemes alleged by the prosecution with corresponding counts below. Next to each count, you can see how the jury voted.
To hear FBI recordings and read transcripts corresponding to each count, visit Chicago Tonight‘s “Breakdown of the Alleged Shakedowns” page.
U.S. SENATE SEAT
Rod Blagojevich is accused of trying to use his power as governor to appoint a U.S. Senator in exchange for something of personal value, i.e. an appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services, a job with a not-for-profit 501c4 organization, or campaign contributions. Blagojevich never received any of these.
Count 2 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 3 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 4 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 5 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 6 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 7 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 8 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 10 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 18 – Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 19 – Attempted Extortion Guilty
Count 20 – Conspiracy to Accept Bribes Guilty
CHILDREN’S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Rod Blagojevich is accused of holding up a rate increase for pediatricians at Children’s Memorial Hospital, until the CEO of Children’s, Patrick Magoon, held a Blagojevich fundraiser to raise $25,000. The fundraiser was never held.
Count 1 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 12 – Attempted Extortion Guilty
Count 13 – Soliciting Bribes Guilty
RACE TRACKS
Rod Blagojevich is accused of holding up the signing of a bill giving race tracks a portion of casino revenues until the CEO of the Balmoral and Maywood race tracks, John Johnston, made a $100,000 campaign contribution. Johnston never made a contribution.
Count 9 – Wire Fraud Guilty
Count 14 – Conspiracy to Commit Extortion Guilty
Count 15 – Conspiracy to Solicit and Accept Bribes Guilty
ROAD BUILDERS
Rod Blagojevich is accused of dangling the possibility of a multi-billion dollar road building program in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to be raised by former Road Builders Association Chief Gerald Krozel. The money was never raised.
Count 16 – Attempted Extortion No Verdict
Count 17 – Soliciting Bribes Not Guilty
ACADEMY FOR URBAN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
Rod Blagojevich is accused of holding up a grant to the Academy for Urban School Leadership unless then-Congressman Rahm Emanuel’s brother, Hollywood agent Ari Emanuel, held a fundraiser for Blagojevich. The fundraiser was never held.
BLAGO SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE,HE AND HIS POLITICAL CONSTITUANTS TOOK AND BORROWED STATE FUNDED PENSION MONIES FROM OUR RETIREMENT SYSTEM.THE MAJORITY OF POLITICIANS IN SPRINGFIELD SHOULD ALL GO TO JAIL.
Somewhere along the line you discussed narcissism and here we saw it played out to the end. Like OJ Simpson and Jim Bakker, the narcissist has no sense of right and wrong — and will use others to forge his will. Blago seemed to feel that there was some sort of point system whereby he could muster enough “good” points (free rides, etc.) to offset the bad.
The governor of New Jersey should beware. He is getting close to crossing the line as the Atlantic City bailout (selling sex) nears.
ah yes, another proud moment in Illinois history, when ever I travel, I don’t want to say I live in Illinois, I am embarrassed. I do not feel sorry for Blago or his wife, they knew exactly what they were doing. They got what they deserved. I do feel sorry for their daughters, having such jackasses for parents.
From his first day in office in January 2003, he put my family and the familes of countless other state employees through hell. I along with countless other state employees have moved on and adjusted our lives accordingly. Hats off to the jury for not buying into Rod & Patti’s fantasy world.
Today justice has been done.
The government wants to seize the Ravenswood house and the Washington D.C. condo. Patti and the kids will be out on the street. Richard (Dick) Mell is quite wealthy after selling a manufacturing company. I hardly think he’s going to let his daughter and grandchildren sell pencils on the corner.
Rod and Patti are not financially broke either.
Thank you, WTTW, for consistent, reliable and in-depth coverage, as well as making the same available on the’net. You folks really have done us a public service. Many thanks, again.
Thank you WTTW reporters who covered and reported the Governor’s story with such thoroughness and objectivity. As a Chicagoan, knowing the political landscape throughout the years, I believe Mr. Blagojovetch talked quite a bit and really didn’t do more than most past or present political figures of Illinois or elsewhere have done. I hope he appeals and wins.
Not a chance!
After the verdict I can honestly say that I have less respect of Illinois politcs, as well as “American Justice System.” Because the jurors convicted Blagojevich without any physical evidence to substantiate the acusations of the prosecution, lead by Mr. Peter Fitzgerald. The criminal case was more of the same of Illinoisans, as well as the former governor (Blagojevich); becuase Blagojevich was removed from office without being able to call the necessary wittnesses to get himself exonarated. Moreover, the General Assembly (State Senate) was not able to prove any criminal activity on the part of then-governor Blagojevich; Blagojevich was removed from office becuase he had sour relationhsip with his political peers, and in particualr House Speaker Michael Madigan.