SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration says it has new, secret evidence to warrant keeping the public from seeing federal subpoenas it has received.
Lawyers for the Democrat filed court papers Feb. 8 asking a judge to reverse his ruling of a month ago to release subpoenas from the U.S. attorney. “Newly discovered evidence” makes it important to keep the documents secret, they said.
But they also requested to file the documents in secrecy and no information about them was included in the filing.
The Better Government Association, a public watchdog group, sued in Sangamon County Circuit Court after Blagojevich aides denied a 2006 Freedom of Information request for subpoenas from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
BGA lawyer Don Craven ridiculed the government’s request, saying Blagojevich, who promised open government, now wants “secret evidence in a secret trial.”
Blagojevich attorney William Quinlan did not return a phone call from the Associated Press in time for this story.
Judge Patrick Kelley ruled in January that Fitzgerald’s office sees no need for further secrecy because Fitzgerald staff members never responded when the BGA told them about the lawsuit.
A spokesman for Fitzgerald did not return a call seeking comment in time for this story.
Fitzgerald told state law enforcement officials in June 2006 that he was investigating “serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud” in the way the governor’s office chose people for state jobs.
Fitzgerald also is prosecuting Blagojevich friend and fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko on fraud charges for an alleged scheme to skim money from investments by state pension systems to raise money for Blagojevich. Rezko is set to stand trial next month.
Fitzgerald also is prosecuting Blagojevich friend and fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko on fraud charges for an alleged scheme to skim money from investments by state pension systems to raise money for Blagojevich. Rezko is set to stand trial next month.
Kelley ruled that the subpoenas should stay locked up as long as the government still has legal options to try to keep them there. The government also requested on Feb. 8 that Kelley keep to that decision.
3 comments:
G-Rod should know secrets always come out. Now the people who have been listed with subpoenas can't hide forever. Now it's time for G-Rod to call in the smoking gun he has. That means he must have a top official he can use with a secret or two he is holding on to. If he doesn't have that he's hosed. Now Renzo is smart he will use what ever necessary to make sure he gets the get out of jail card. Look you don't get that wealthy and big without cover your butt. Renzo played with the big boys and others who were moving up fast. Any street smart investigator knows a criminal like Renzo has something for a just in case. Now you have noticed that in the 1990's Renzo made a point to take a picture with the future President so he could use that photo for business. Now he moved up and got to know a new young Legislator, who was asked to be a Senator. Well what's an up and coming power politician to do but buy a home he can't afford. Along comes Renzo to solve that problem. Even having his wife buy the land, so the Legislator soon to be Senator would have a home like the Rich and Powerful. Only problem is the home is 1.6 Million dollars and you do the math. I know Senator and Mrs. Obama have money but not that kind of money to qualify for a bank loan. So with the help of his Attorney and Mr. Renzo they made the sale happen. Now we'll see who talks first or who walks with the help of a friend.
Secret? WTF? So does Blago have some Muslim terrorists hiding in the Springfield mansion?
BS. Cough up the documents, Blago.
"Secret? WTF?"
Ha Ha! I knew that you would get a kick out of that. G-Rod needs to cough up the documents. Secret, my ass...
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