Blagojevich Indictment (Photos/Video)

A federal grand jury charged former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich on Thursday with racketeering, extortion and fraud. Blagojevich could spend years behind bars if convicted. Read more on the Blagojevich indictment below!

In the 75-page indictment, which also charged Blagojevich’s brother and several close aides, it describes a political operation from the beginning of his first term to strengthen the governor’s hold on power and make money that Blagojevich would receive after he left office.

Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office after his Dec. 9 arrest. He was charged with 16 counts, including 11 counts of wire fraud, three counts of extortion and one count of lying to federal investigators.

Rod Blagojevich remains free on bond. No court hearing has been scheduled.

The six-year investigation, dubbed Operation Board Games, has led to charges against 17 people. “It’s pretty clear this is not the end of this process. There are many more shoes to drop.”

The charges against Blagojevich include allegations that he threatened to withhold $100 million or more in money for Wrigley Field renovations if the Chicago Tribune did not fire editorial writers who had called for his impeachment. The newspaper and the stadium are owned by the same man, Sam Zell.

Blagojevich also stands accused of offering to wheel and deal for Obama’s seat, saying on tape, “I’ve got this thing and it’s [expletive] golden and I’m just not giving it up for [expletive] nothing.”

Blagojevich, who knew he was under investigation but kept talking, said he would use three criteria in filling the seat Obama resigned after he was elected president: “Our legal situation, our personal situation, my political situation. This decision, like every other one, needs to be based upon that. Legal. Personal. Political.”

From the Washington Post:

Determined to stock his campaign coffers before stricter ethics rules took effect Jan. 1, Blagojevich allegedly demanded money from executives in return for state business. In one case, it was a concrete supplier from whom the governor expected $500,000. In another, it was an executive at Chicago’s Children’s Memorial Hospital who was asked to deliver a $50,000 campaign contribution in return for $8 million in state Medicaid reimbursements to doctors who had treated sick children.

Blagojevich is heard on tape asking an aide if the $8 million could be withheld if the executive failed to pay.

Blagojevich called the impeachment case against him a witch hunt and refused to answer question from lawmakers or testify about details of the criminal investigation.

Instead, as the state Senate heard evidence against him, the governor made the rounds of New York talk shows, proclaiming his innocence.

Ousted from office and replaced by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn (D), Blagojevich signed a book deal. As recently as last week, he hosted a Chicago radio show to say that he was “hijacked” from office by his political foes.

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Posted by: Monya

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