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US federal prosecutor limits Blagojevich impeachment inquiry

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] US federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald Tuesday asked the Illinois House of Representatives to limit its impeachment inquiry into Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and avoid looking into the criminal charges against him. Fitzgerald warned that an inquiry into the criminal charges could hamper the investigation. The impeachment committee, which has agreed to follow instructions from federal prosecutors, may still consider the fact that Blagojevich is facing criminal charges and the evidence outlined in the complaint, but it cannot question aides and campaign donors about possible crimes. If the committee recommends impeachment, it will go to a vote before the entire House. If the House votes to impeach, the proceedings will go before the Senate, which will act as a jury with the Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court presiding. Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested earlier this month by federal agents on charges of corruption. Both Blagojevich and Harris have been charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. They are accused of conspiring to sell or trade the senate seat left vacant by Obama and obtaining illegal campaign contributions. They are also accused of threatening to withhold assistance to the Chicago Tribune with the sale of Wrigley Field unless two editorial writers who had been critical of Blagojevich were fired. Harris resigned his position after the arrest, while Blagojevich has continued to report to work. Last week, the Illinois Supreme Court rejected a bid by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to have Blagojevich temporarily removed from office.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on December 23, 2008 (boomark / email).