Sen. Roland Burris Promised Money For Senate Seat In Taped Phone Call
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The Illinois State Police have arrested Drew Peterson after he was indicted in connection with the murder of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, authorities said. Link
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“Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois will name Roland Burris, a former Illinois attorney general, to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the United States Senate, someone with knowledge of the governor’s plans confirmed on Tuesday. Mr. Blagojevich, who faces federal corruption charges including allegations that he tried to sell Mr. Obama’s former senate seat for a high-paying job or money, had not been expected to try to fill the seat.” [Link]
“The contact, described as a ‘pro-forma’ courtesy call, came as Emanuel was named Chief of Staff for Obama.”
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“Most of the discussion concerned Emanuel’s Congressional seat (which had previously been held by Blagojevich), with only a ‘passing reference’ to the Senate vacancy, according to these sources. No deal for the Senate vacancy was discussed.” [Link]
“Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by FBI agents Tuesday morning on federal corruption charges, officials said. His chief of staff John Harris was also charged, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed in a statement. A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade for personal gain the state’s U.S. Senate seat, which is being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. ” [Link]
“As part of this undercover effort, one of the governor’s closest confidants and former aides cooperated with investigators, and that assistance helped lead to recordings of the governor and others, sources said. The cooperation of John Wyma, 42, one of the state’s most influential lobbyists, is the most stunning evidence yet that Blagojevich’s once-tight inner circle appears to be collapsing under the pressure of myriad pay-to-play inquiries.” [Link]
“Michael Kolb, 23, 1023 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, approached the girl in late October while she was doing community service work at the school, Hebron Police Chief Dale Egland said. ‘He asked her if she was still doing some modeling work to which she said yes,’ Egland said. ‘He told her there was more money to be made in the adult film business.’ Egland said the girl then left, but on Nov. 4 Kolb pulled her into a back room at the school.” [Link]
“University of Illinois police have served search warrants on the home, computer and e-mail accounts of a former gymnastics coach who’s being investigated after a video camera was discovered in a locker room. Sgt. Tom Geis says investigators are going over the information recovered from Jon Valdez’s home. He says they hope to turn the information over to Champaign County prosecutors this week. Valdez helped train U.S. gymnasts at the Beijing Olympics.” [Link]
“Alton police charged Jamie E. Day, 24, of the 400 block of Brookshire in Jerseyville, with lewd entertainment following her arrest at 2:40 p.m. Friday at the Pub Room, 230 E. Broadway. Someone called police to complain about the woman, who ‘was observed totally nude while tending bar at the Pub Room,’ a brief Alton Police Department report says.” [Link]
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“The New York developer has hired a broker to market the building’s four-level retail space overlooking the Chicago River, set to open next summer with room for 20 shops and restaurants. Mr. Trump won’t disclose an asking price, but an offering memorandum obtained by Crain’s suggests the space could fetch $115 million to $130 million.” [Link]
