Blagojevich Indictment Delayed

By TChris, Section Corruption Cases
Posted on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 11:55:18 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)

Share This: Digg!

Patrick Fitzgerald's office filed a motion today seeking a 90 day extension of time to indict Rod Blagojevich. According to the motion (no link presently available):

The government has been conducting a diligent and thorough investigation in this case, but the investigation includes multiple defendants and potential defendants as well as thousands of intercepted phone calls, and additional factors warranting an extension of time (as cited in the government’s Attachment) exist. The government cannot complete its investigation and appropriately conclude the investigation within the time allowed under Section 3161(b) of the Speedy Trial Act as currently extended.

The juicy details in the attachment were filed under seal, keeping them from the curious public to avoid compromising the investigation. [more ...]

The motion represents that Blagojevich does not oppose the extension. That's not surprising. It would be unusual for a defendant to be anxious to be indicted, and Blago seems determined to hang onto power as long as he can. Delay only benefits that desire.

The motion also represents:

In the most recent set of Title III intercepts, thousands of phone calls were intercepted between late-October 2008 and early-December 2008. In addition, this investigation has used confidential witnesses. In addition, multiple witnesses have come forward in recent weeks to discuss their knowledge of criminal activity in relation to the ongoing investigation.

The tantalizing reference to "potential defendants" and to "multiple witnesses" coming forward "in recent weeks to discuss their knowledge of criminal activity" suggests that individuals who fear their own indictment are seeking to preempt prosecution by coming forward to rat out Blago. If that's true, there may be more accusations of wrongdoing presented to the grand jury than those contained in the original complaint.

< Blago Asked IL Rep. Danny Davis To Accept Senate Appointment Before Offering It To Burris | It's New Year's Eve >

Legal

Nothing on this site should be construed as legal advice. TalkLeft does not give legal advice.

TalkLeft is not responsible for and often disagrees with material posted in the comments section. Read at your own risk.

Blagojevich Indictment Delayed | 19 comments (19 topical)

Readers Must Login or Create an Account to Comment

Excellent analysis (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by Jeralyn on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 12:04:46 PM EST

thanks, TChris.

But on the other hand (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by Saul on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 12:08:38 PM EST

seems to me the more time you give Fitz to investigate the more he will have on you. If Blago knows an indictment is forthcoming any way I would want it with the least amount of ammunition against me. I thought the law said he had 30 days to bring an indictment or its over.

More time for Rezko to bargain? (none / 0) (#6)
by Cream City on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 01:08:34 PM EST

Rezko will need to... (none / 0) (#14)
by Salo on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 02:27:47 PM EST

Bargain with juicier information. He's not the only person informing on illinois democrats anymore.


: jersey or issues? (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by Fabian on Wed Dec 31, 2008 at 03:02:59 PM EST

From BTD's post on partisan loyalty over issue advocacy.
The party in power is usually the one that gets into trouble. If they get into really big trouble, they can become the minority party - see Ohio 2006/2008 for example. If Mark Dann(D) had been sheltered and defended earlier this year(2008) by the Democratic governor, would the Democrats have gained as many seats as they did in Ohio?
The Ohio Republicans were ones tarred with the corruption and scandal from 2004 on. Better to preserve the contrast than to give voters a reason to think that the Democrats are no better than Republicans.