Constitutional Law

Gov. Blagojevich arrested

Anti-gun IL governor Blagojevich was was arrested this morning on federal corruption and bribery charges. Investigation also involves his choice of pres-elect Obama's replacement in the Senate.

UPDATE: USA Today says that his chief of staff, John Harris, was also arrested. Charges involve soliciting bribes in exchange for the Senate appointment, and threatening to withhold State money from the firm that owns the Chicago Tribune, unless the Tribune fired editors who'd criticized him. It adds that he took office on a pledge to clean up after the former governor, who is serving time for corruption.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Rick Moran reports that the Senate deal was that he'd appoint someone to the seat in exchange for either a lucrative job, or appointment to a cabinet post in the new Administration. He says the evidence reveals

"a man either so corrupt that he saw little downside to his actions or, sadly and perhaps more likely, that the years of investigations had taken a toll on his mental well-being and he had lost touch with reality. With federal investigators swarming about him and his cronies, he came up with the idea to sell Obama?s Senate seat? And the scheme to exchange favors with campaign contributors? And to seek a cabinet posting ? with federal investigators ready to indict him? How could he have possibly thought he could get away with all of it?"

Hat tips to readers Carl in Chicago and Jack Anderson...

BTW, blogging will be slow today. Recovering from some "medical issues."

Full post as published by Of Arms and the Law on December 09, 2008 (boomark / email).