Jackson Spoke To Feds About Blagojevich

Ill. Congressman's Campaign Snub Cost Wife Job Promised By Governor, Source Says

(CBS/ AP)  Shortly after his 2002 election, Gov. Rod Blagojevich told U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson he'd planned to appoint Jackson's wife as state lottery director but didn't because the congressman refused his request for a $25,000 campaign donation, a person familiar with the conversation told The Associated Press Tuesday.

"Blagojevich went out of his way to say, 'You know I was considering your wife for the lottery job and the $25,000 you didn't give me? That's why she's not getting the job,"' the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the ongoing federal investigation.

Jackson spokesman Kenneth Edmonds declined to comment on the account, but said Jackson has approached federal investigators to discuss the governor and others for years.

"He has shared information with federal prosecutors about public corruption during the past several years, including information about Blagojevich and others," Edmonds said.

Randall Samborn, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago, declined to comment, as did Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero. WLS-TV in Chicago first reported the exchange.

Jackson's name has played prominently ever since Blagojevich was arrested last week on corruption charges that include allegations he tried to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat for personal gain.

Jackson has acknowledged being the unnamed "Senate Candidate 5" referenced in the federal criminal complaint against Blagojevich. The complaint quotes Blagojevich as saying on federal wiretaps that an associate of the candidate offered to raise money for him if he picked the candidate to fill Obama's seat.

Jackson has acknowledged openly seeking the position, but denies initiating or authorizing anyone to promise anything to Blagojevich on his behalf. The congressman has said federal prosecutors have told him he is not a target of their investigation.

The person did not know whether Jackson's wife, Sandi, who has since been elected to the Chicago City Council, had asked for the state lottery job. At the time, Blagojevich was the first incoming Democratic governor after years of Republican rule and had scores of state jobs to fill.

"The governor had kind of penciled Sandi in as lottery director and then asked for contributions from the congressman," the person said.

Sandi Jackson did not immediately return a call to her office seeking comment.

In April, the Chicago Tribune reported that an examination of campaign donations to Blagojevich showed that three in four donors who gave exactly $25,000 received administration favors such as state board appointments or contracts.

It's also the same amount of money that figured prominently in the testimony of a government witness in the political corruption trial this summer of political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko.

Ali Ata, the former executive director of the Illinois Finance Authority testified that Blagojevich spoke encouragingly about getting him a job in his administration after he personally brought him a $25,000 campaign contribution.

Rezko, who raised more than $1 million for Blagojevich's campaign fund, was convicted of shaking down businesses seeking state business for campaign contributions.

The person familiar with Jackson's discussions also said Tuesday that Jackson has spoken with federal investigators about a 2006 meeting with Rezko where the two discussed a proposed airport in Peotone, long considered a possible location for a third Chicago-area airport.

The person said Rezko told Jackson, a longtime proponent of the airport, that Blagojevich wanted to control the airport's board, but Jackson balked.

Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers launched an unprecedented impeachment inquiry Tuesday against Blagojevich, who showed no sign of going down without a fight.

An impeachment panel met briefly and then adjourned until Wednesday, giving Blagojevich time to send a representative to the hearings, which may last into January.

Lawmakers on Monday shelved the idea of setting a special election where voters would fill the vacant Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama.

But the House also voted 113-0 to create a bipartisan committee that will recommend whether Blagojevich should be impeached. That 21-member panel met for about an hour Tuesday, with members making speeches about the gravity of the scandal.

Committee chairwoman Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, began the meeting by saying the Blagojevich scandal had created a "crisis of confidence" in state government. But she cautioned panel members against moving too fast.

"Let us remember that we're not Alice in Wonderland. We're not the Red Queen. We do not sentence first and then do the verdict," she said.

"Frontier justice will not prevail in this proceeding. A rush to judgment does not serve the people of the state well."

[whatithink10]

kevinkkloste - GOP whines about not being blamed for things they didn''t do personally. Yet, blame others for things they didn''t do personally.

Just another to add to your list of hypocrisy.

[armydog2]

How can you blame Obama, this fool of a governor hung himself. Congrats to Congressman Jackson for being an upstanding politician and abiding by the law.

[likeitis5050]

This guy is not unlike a 3rd generation gang member...very skilled at the process. He was bound to unravel eventually simply because of his ego and greed for power. Some politicians have a kind of radar early in the game that warns them of this kind of parasite. I certainly hope Obama is counted amoung them. From the sound of things, based on what I''ve read on the subject and his history in politics, Obama was on to him long ago. I hope I can trust what I''ve read...even though I have little faith in mainstream reporting any more.

[mikeant50]

If the leader of my party was responsible for over 5000 American deaths, thousands of Iraqi and Afgan civilians deaths, the greatest ecomonic disaster since the Great Depression, the unauthorized spying on American citizens, the erosion of the American Constituion, the basic denigration of basic human dignity, just to name a few, I would try to defect the discussion to something else also. The Repugs tried this guilt by association during the election and what did it get them, a big fat butt kicking, so I guess they have learned nothing.

[nolalou]

While lots of politicians trade favors, this guy took it to a whole new level, and became a shakedown artist!

It may be hard to prove a case in court, but that shouldn''t keep the legislature from impeaching him. As I understand it, in Illinois it is not required to prove he committed a crime to impeach, they simply have to decide he can no longer perform his duties as governor.

[dsr57]

Yeah, that person doesn''t sound panted. You could say whatever you want about Governor now and people would believe it. I think it''s just someone trying to help Jaskson out.

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by kevinkkloste

Your sig is showing.

[biomegaly]

Its not what you know, its who you can buy: according to Blagojevich. This is just another perfect example of has become of the USA. Greed and power were more important to this filthy-slimy-no-good scum-sucking-pig than being the man he was elected to be. I had to laugh yesterday too, when I read that Obama''s attorneys had cleared him of any wrongdoings. Yeah, HIS attorneys. Someone elses may have something different to say about it. How could we elect a man from the most corrupt state in the union????

[skyhawk761]

Just more mendacity from Obama, who, during the campaign, promised that, as president, he would run the most open and transparent government in history . . . unless you ask me an embarrassing question.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by RowdynTex at 09:23 AM : Dec 17, 2008
+ report abuse


News flash RowdytnTex, he is not the President yet.

[cariboubarbi]

GoGWGo


Funny, never see you in here screeching about Republican corruption.

Selective outrage?


Try being an American for once in your miserable life instead of a partisan moron who''''s always looking to score points for his side.

[bailthisout]

Obama taking a question about Rahm Emanuel''''s contacts with Governor Blagojevich. Responds to Reporter John McCormick of the Chicago Tribune. Obama tells him not to "...waste your question," and then does his "uhh, uhh, ahh, uhh..." trick.

Just more mendacity from Obama, who, during the campaign, promised that, as president, he would run the most open and transparent government in history . . . unless you ask me an embarrassing question.
-------------------------------------
Posted by RowdynTex

Exactly, the same ol *** from our corrupt politicians.

[cariboubarbi]

GoGWGo


Funny, never see you in here screeching about Republican corruption.

Selective outrage?


Try being an American for once in your miserable life instead of a partisan moron who''s always looking to score points for "his side".

[shortestfuse]

So, Junior has been talking with the feds for years about Blago. I wonder who else he might have talked about? I recall Junior''s Daddy being caught on camera saying he wanted to cut Obama''s balls off.

[notblue]

Cariboubarby, you are one if the biggest "partisan morons" here at leftwing central. LOL! Do you even understand the obsurdity of your post? Guess not!

[biblethumpar]

If Blago goes, id love to see Rowdy have the seat,
LOL......

[samthetvcat]

---"Frontier justice will not prevail in this proceeding. A rush to judgment does not serve the people of the state well."---

It''ll be interesting to see what impeachment standard the Ill. legislature comes up with to get rid of Blago. Every other State in the union would just adopt the Federal high crimes and misdemeanors - it sounds like Ill.''s going to make up whatever fits this circumstances.

It''s like nobody in the State has any respect for the law - I almost wonder whether JJJr. stands out so much because he keeps trying to do the right thing amongst a band of crooks . . . he said last week in his press conference that he''d only missed two vote sessions during his entire 13 years in Congress. That''s astounding - I''ve never seen anybody who''s like that not be a straight arrow, and I usually notice them because in my dreams I wish I had their dedication! I feel like maybe being son of JJSr is both a blessing and a curse (?)

[frankistage]

Obama''s involved in this somehow, no? Didn''t Michelle get the job? Or did she simply win the lotto once.

[rudy6543]

Obama''''s involved in this somehow, no? Didn''''t Michelle get the job? Or did she simply win the lotto once.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by frankistage at 10:32 AM

No.

[samthetvcat]

PS Both a blessing and a curse, meaning maybe having a famous name sometimes raises his profile, but now it might be opening him up to getting more criticism than somebody else in his circumstances might get . . . like what''s with all the ''snitch'' and ''rat'' talk? Wouldn''t you WANT a Congressman to inform the authorities of wrongdoing?

[mbskoczen]

JJJr. is a snitch..

Like I believe any of this story..

The Obama administration will be Carter II, but with more graft.

[mydiatribe]

Obviously this Illinois US Senate seat is more expensive than a mere state Lottery Commissioner''s appointment.
And, obviously Jesse Junior wuz savin'' up his Christmas & Berf-day monies for sump''in really, really big. This wuz a good''un! Rod wouldah'' come down -- MAYBE!

Fess up Jesse! You''re caught!

[kuei12]

Why was Jackson trying to use his position to try and get his wife a job? Isn''t that a little corrupt?

[kuei12]

They should just put a brick wall with razor wire around Springfield, Illinois with armned guards to prevent anyone from getting out.

[evian_ycnan]

Thanks for deleting ALL my posts from ALL the message boards last night.

Posted by txgrouch2008 at 11:06 AM : Dec 17, 2008

And, just HOW do you suggest he accomplished that little feat? Is he a moderator?

Regards,

[specialty8]

keau,
Hey it worked for Obama, his wife got a $200k raise out of it.

[ford555551]

What ever the Obama administration appointed so far (Ivy League graduates) is one million times better than Bush did. Bush brought his all his bar buddies from Texas who does not have education or experience to get the positions but got anyway because of his alcoholic friends are more important than his country,that tells everything about the Neo-Nazi party of United States of America.

[specialty8]

Seems to me they don''t know who is lying,Obama,Jackson,Ayers,Rezko and the list just keeps getting bigger.Obama should just come clean now and confess.

[cattiej]

Seems to me that Jesse Jr has buttered both sides of his bread. This guy wants to grab all the headlines any way he can. If he hss been infomring the Feds, he should NOT be elegible to replace the Senator Seat of Obama. Jackson''s wife in on the Chicago City counsel. She wanted to be head of the State of Illinois Lottery, an government organization that wants to see it''s program to a private concert. Now, what''s that all about. Blagvjevoich has sold or is selling some of the toll roads to the Saudia Arabian''s. How did this happen. I hope everyone that Rod has treated like dirt, comes forth with there story and tell the Feds everything they know. There is more dirt on this guy. His good squad are probably trying to take care of things as you read this. Chicago ain''t called the city of Big Shoulder''s for nothing. Get out now Rod, while you can before they throw you in the slammer for some of your other shady dealings.

[specialty8]

Demswin08,
Think about it,your name would not come up every time a new crook is exposed would it?If you run with crooks you are probley a crook.Now think of this,If I were running for a public office would you hold a party for me in your own home,in your living room, unless you knew me or we shared the same veiws? Or maybe Ayers did it out of the goodness of his heart. To many ghost hanging aroud here.Some day the real truth will come out.

[d33pthroat1]

I don''t believe Jackson for a second. He learnt the ropes from his father - the master of backroom wheeling and dealing to gain prominence.

The very fact that he is ONLY NOW spilling the beans on Blago shows he is trying to save his own skin.

He may not have contributed $25,000 to get his wife the lottery job but a senate seat for the man of the Jackson family is much more important.

He obviously knew about the "pay-to-play" game Blago ran. The lottery job for wife episode, the building of a third Chicago arport - all of these would have made him fully aware of the way Blago operated.

So, knowing how Blago operated and his own desperately wish to become the IL senator would have driven him or his team to discuss some quid-pro-quo with Blago to get him the senate seat.

On the other hand, I don''t think Obama would have participated in the pay-to-play because Obama is much more powerful than Jackson and he didn''t need to pay Blago to get his (Obama''s) choice selected. Obama''s team would have assumed that it would be thanks enough if Blago did something that would be agreeable to the president-elect.

[cattiej]

I meant to write, GOON SQUAD. Has anyone noticed all the guys in leather coats along with a few of the Illinois State Police surronding Gov. Rod?
If Jesse Jr is working with the Feds, why did he or his people come out publicly and say Jessee Jr. has been talking about Rod with the Feds????
Fire the whole lot of them. Impeachment committee, take Rod out of office today, our state needs to get on with the business of being solvent and in business. What a mess. This will take years to straighten out because so many of our elected politicans have to consult with their attorneys etc. They have to do there behind the scenes deals before telling us what they are going to do or what they are not going to do. The voters are going to remember this come election day.

[xlib]

combatvet-you are waaaay to civil for this crowd, but I appreciate your intelligient thoughtful post. These people are very intolerant of any view other than a far left one. So, welcome and keep trying.

[wl7bzh]

Yea, Jessie Jr you were simply a victim-learn that tune from your dad?

[cmbtvet0311]

Xlib: Thank you. I used to be very liberal until I went to college and got two, soon to be three, different degrees. I realized quickly that being conservative or liberal isn''t BAD, but being a extreme left or right wing supporter is just plain ignorant. Our country is in serious trouble and all this welfare policy diguised as bailouts only exacerbates the problem. I don''t feel it is our job as citizens to pay for corporate and financial mismanagement, but our politicians apparently feel it is. Are they going to pay for it? Not likely. If they were truly concerned with our welfare they would let the auto makers fail and restructure. Yes, this may be a consevative view, but to ask the UAW for a time table to become competitive with foreign auto makers in the U.S. doesn''t seem to me to be as bads as the UAW claims. To have them refuse simply tells me that its not a BIG 3 problem, but rather a UAW problem. I don''t buy american made autos for this very reason. Foreign autos are renowned for their qaulity. For those of you with no idea why, ONE of the reasons is because they don''t have to pay their workers an overinflated wage, enabling them to maintain a quality vehicle. As I ardently respect both sides, each has it''s own view and the ability to express these views is why our country is so great. Neither side is completely correct so why do we allow ouselves to be "hoodwinked" by those on the hill? LACK OF EDUCATION. LAZINESS. GULIBILITY. BIG BROTHER.

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!

[cmbtvet0311]

Furthermore, I have fought in two combat theatres, traveled more than half the world, and seen what extemist ideals on either side have created. Most of you haven''t been outside your county let alone the U.S. and really have NO CLUE what the REAL world contains, other than what you have read or seen in the "NEWS". On this note you are coming to conclusions largely made for you, not on what you actually believe or experienced. Do any of you know who stated "Democracy will fail when people start voting theselves money?" Sort of sounds like today''s society huh? Do you staunch Dems really believe that your officials care about what you want? They only care about power and money of which you may not have any of, yet you persevere. Noble, yet blind. Yes, the Pubs are no better I will agree, if they had their way the world would be a sweatshop. Let''s not lose sight of the prize....a healthy, functional, strong, country who is willing to set the example for the rest of the world to follow. To help other nations achieve success without bankrolling them. In short....demand accountability.

[cmbtvet0311]

Being an extremist at any point in time, ESPECIALLY now, is in my opinion unequivocally un-american.

[cmbtvet0311]

Thanks again. Its good to know that my words aren''t falling on deaf ears as I am trying to write sensibly, which is clearly not the intention of some of these individuals.

No retorts from the left? Cat got your tongue? Or are you not able or willing to engage in intellectual conversation?

[cmbtvet0311]

self-ag%u22C5gran%u22C5dize%u22C5ment%u2002 %u2002/%u02C8s%u025Blf%u0259%u02C8grfnd%u026Azm%u0259nt, %u02CCs%u025Blf-/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [self-uh-gran-diz-muhnt, self-] Show IPA Pronunciation

%u2013noun increase of one''s own power, wealth, etc., usually aggressively

First of all, Cry me a River JT. I''m NOT wealthy, mortagaged to the hilt in school debt, and going for more BECAUSE I decided to think for myself as opposed to being led to the slaughter.

If telling you I am an educated individual, attempting to engage in intelligent conversation makes your Vag hurt then good. Being called a "JURK" off makes me smile because if thats all you have to say then my job is done.

You obviously took my satement as a personal attack so,if the shoe fits: LACK OF EDUCATION. LAZINESS. GULIBILITY, then I guess you will wear it with pride for the rest of your days.

Sincerely yours,

Self-aggrandizing, pompous, ***

[likenoone-2009]

well little jesse jackson jr. won''t be a sentor the
U.S. senate don''t like sniches

[cmbtvet0311]

Sorry Marine, thats the problem with writing on these blogs no emotion seems to make everybody sound pompous.

Just to clarify: It wasn''t meant to sound pompous. And it apparently came across that way. Although, the comment by this individual is exactly the kind of trash that made me want to post my ideas and position on this blog in the first place. I have respected all of your views and would expect the same courtesy. So Xlib, I guess your right, unless I am a radical socialist, my views WON''T be respected. Cool, I''ve been fighting for years and will continue my battle against un-american democratic far-left facist pigs, and their conservative counterparts. They all hate each other and the fact is they share the same bed!!!!
IGNORANCE IS BLISS!!!!!!!

[likenoone-2009]

If a politician is moveing his lips he''s lyiny

[likenoone-2009]

There is going to be a depression now who do you think
is going to the sacrifical goat

[cmbtvet0311]

Why is there an evident media bias against Democrats before Obama has even entered the White House?---------------------------
Seriously? What news have you been watching? All I have heard is how he is going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. The only bad press he has recieved was his potential connections to the blago scandal.

[cmbtvet0311]

And to you as well. Semper Forever!!

[specialty8]

I can''t beleive someone would come on here and talk anti-democratic media.Seems every picture of the choosen one with the special effects lighting had a halo around his head.I can even go on TV right now and by my Obama coins and Obama christmas cards.You should have known once the dogs were called off Palin they had to find a new tree to bark at.

[cmbtvet0311]

I can even go on TV right now and by my Obama coins and Obama christmas cards.

Don''t forget your commemorative Osama (excuse me, must have gotten the keys mixed up) plates advertised on television.

[cmbtvet0311]

For the record i didn''t post that comment about the coins and such, I just posted the plates comment as extra ammo. Sorry fellas, I''ll remember to add a works cited page to my post....

[specialty8]

txgrouch,
I cant''t find anyone who wants me to send them The Obama card with Michelle and that big $200k smile on it from Blago and that 6 figures from fannie. You want one? Can''t seem to give one away now.

[cmbtvet0311]

I cant''''t find anyone who wants me to send them The Obama card with Michelle and that big $200k smile on it from Blago and that 6 figures from fannie. You want one? Can''''t seem to give one away now---------------------------------Posted by specialty8

You can send me some I need tinder for the fireplace and some TP.

[cmbtvet0311]

Ok fellas seems we have chased all the liberal back into their holes.....see you later. Thanks for the support, and majority 1: thanks for squaring me away about pompous comment....i''ll try to be more accomodating to the whining populous.