Insight into the Blagojevich Trial

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-2884248/Blagojevich-brother-I-fed-pawn-governor.html


Not sure this is the appropriate sub-forum but a very interesting story that caught my eye nonetheless.

Just another stain on the terrible US legal system full of bullies.

And Blago really does seem like a major HP - even more than I remember- but his sentence length is still ridiculous

[© tweed]

the "trial tax" and prosecutors over-charging to gain leverage in plea negotiations is the daily hustle-and-bustle of the criminal justice system.  it's only being noticed here because of the celebrity/soap opera characteristics of the case.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

Completely understand, but since celebrity cases are noticed, they should be getting used to promote change. Of course they won't (sigh). The American travesty.

[© tweed]

Completely understand, but since celebrity cases are noticed, they should be getting used to promote change. Of course they won't (sigh). The American travesty.

what pisses me off most about celeb trials is some of the public reaction (and its media echo).. ie, when Casey Anthony was acquitted of the most serious charges, there was a ton of hand-wringing about how "this justice system is broken". it's either mass ignorance or moral bankruptcy.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The idea that what Blagojevich did is somehow worse than for example, Christie's wife making $475,000 working for a company that has special deals with New Jersey's pension plan is absurd.

[muon2]

The idea that what Blagojevich did is somehow worse than for example, Christie's wife making $475,000 working for a company that has special deals with New Jersey's pension plan is absurd.

It's a question of degree. There were multiple instances where Blago was recorded saying to a group (eg Children's Memorial Hospital) that he would only sign a document releasing millions of dollars of properly appropriated funds if there was a substantial donation (50K$ was typical). That type of quid pro quo for an official act crosses the line.

[© tweed]

The idea that what Blagojevich did is somehow worse than for example, Christie's wife making $475,000 working for a company that has special deals with New Jersey's pension plan is absurd.

It's a question of degree. There were multiple instances where Blago was recorded saying to a group (eg Children's Memorial Hospital) that he would only sign a document releasing millions of dollars of properly appropriated funds if there was a substantial donation (50K$ was typical). That type of quid pro quo for an official act crosses the line.

Blago was truly an incompetent criminal.  so much so that I'm shocked he was able to rise as high as he did before ruining himself.  

first, be that blunt, while at home or in his office, about selling a Senate seat and all the other cash for favors.  an effective crooked pol should always begin by speaking in riddles and subtleties.  this at least gives you a shot at establishing reasonable doubt should the sh**t hit the fan.  then, once you think you have a fish biting, for the real explicit stuff, meet personally in remote areas (and bring bouncers/muscle men).  

he also should NOT have used landlines or traceable e-mail to conduct his worst business.  buy a MoneyPak w/cash (or better yet have someone else buy one of those "gift" type cards, in cash) and use a pay-as-you-go phone.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The idea that what Blagojevich did is somehow worse than for example, Christie's wife making $475,000 working for a company that has special deals with New Jersey's pension plan is absurd.

It's a question of degree. There were multiple instances where Blago was recorded saying to a group (eg Children's Memorial Hospital) that he would only sign a document releasing millions of dollars of properly appropriated funds if there was a substantial donation (50K$ was typical). That type of quid pro quo for an official act crosses the line.

OK, I hadn't heard of that part. It seemed like he just got nailed for wanting some campaign contributions for a Senate seat. Everyone knows that the going price to get a Western European ambassador is at least several hundred thousand dollars, and no President has gone to prison for that.