Where can I listen to the lightning rod?
Lightning Rod with Rod Blagojevich on Apple Podcasts CUMULUS MEDIA announces that its Chicago news/talk radio station WLS-AM will launch “The Lightning Rod”, an exclusive weekly podcast hosted by former Illinois Governor and self-described “Trumpocrat” Rod Blagojevich.
How long is Rod Blagojevich in jail?
Former Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, who was convicted on 18 felony counts of corruption, will begin serving his 14-year sentence this week. Mollie Halpern: Former Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich will surrender this week to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to begin his 14-year sentence.
Who is Rod Blagojevich and what did he do?
Blagojevich, a lawyer and former state prosecutor, state legislator, and U.S. congressman, was convicted on 18 felony counts of corruption. Daniel W. Cain: Corruption is a priority for the FBI and for the Chicago office, and we do take it very seriously.
What was the Blagojevich media campaign?
On January 27, 2009, Blagojevich began a media campaign planned by publicist Glenn Selig. During the two-day campaign, he visited Today, Good Morning America, The Early Show, The View, multiple programs on Fox News Channel, CNN and MSNBC where he proclaimed his innocence and insisted he would be vindicated.
How long is Rod Blagojevich serving?
Former Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, who was convicted on 18 felony counts of corruption, will begin serving his 14-year sentence this week.
Who is Blagojevich?
Blagojevich, a lawyer and former state prosecutor, state legislator, and U.S. congressman , was convicted on 18 felony counts of corruption. Daniel W. Cain: Corruption is a priority for the FBI and for the Chicago office, and we do take it very seriously.
How much did the judge charge in the Blagojevich case?
The judge also imposed a fine of $20,000 and two years of supervised release. Blagojevich was also ordered to pay a special assessment of $1,800, or $100 on each count of conviction. Daniel Cain was the lead investigator, but a team of FBI professional support employees and special agents also worked the Blagojevich case.
What charges did Blagojevich face?
Blagojevich went to trial again in 2011 and was convicted on 17 additional counts, including wire fraud, attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion, soliciting bribes, and conspiracy to solicit and accept bribes.
When was Rod Blagojevich arrested?
Halpern: On the morning of December 9, 2008 the FBI arrested Rod Blagojevich. The investigation was an offshoot of a major corruption case code named Board Games that began five years earlier. As that case evolved, the FBI interviewed Blagojevich a couple of times into aspects of his administration.
Why was it critical that we were able to file the affidavit with information that convinced a?
Cain: It was critical that we were able to file the affidavit with information that convinced a judge that there was sufficient probable cause in order to install the microphones and have the wiretaps. This allowed agents to surreptitiously listen and record conversations that could serve as evidence of fraud and extortion.
How long did Halpern record criminal conversations?
Halpern: Investigators recorded criminal conversations for seven weeks. Here’s a listen to one of those recorded conversations:
Who is Rod Blagojevich?
February 8, 2019 •#N#Who is Rod Blagojevich? He was an incredible retail politician who knew how to work a room. But ultimately, his obsession with climbing the ladder brought him down. Public Official A, a new podcast from WBEZ, examines the rise and fall of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
How long was Rod Blagojevich in jail?
January 18, 2019 •#N#After Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested, he received a 14-year prison sentence. Under President Donald Trump, there was always a chance Blagojevich would be released early. And in February 2020, it finally happened. Public Official A, a new podcast from WBEZ, examines the rise and fall of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
How long did the FBI record Rod Blagojevich's phone calls?
February 15, 2019 •#N#The FBI recorded Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's phone calls for almost six weeks. What they heard shocked them. Public Official A, a new podcast from WBEZ, examines the rise and fall of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Where was Rod Blagojevich born?
Early life. Rod Blagojevich was born in Chicago, Illinois, the second of two children. His parents were immigrants from Yugoslavia. His father, Radislav, was an immigrant steel plant laborer from a village near Kragujevac, Serbia.
What did Blagojevich do in 2008?
Blagojevich proposed a budget for 2008 with a 5% increase from the year before. Budget reductions of some programs caused Blagojevich to attempt to close 11 state parks and 13 state historic sites, with his spokesman saying Blagojevich had never visited any of them. To plug state budget holes, Blagojevich at one point proposed selling the James R. Thompson Center or mortgaging it. Blagojevich was also criticized for his handling of the 2007 state budget. In particular, critics cited his unprecedented use of line-item and reduction vetoes to remove his political opponents' "member initiatives" from the budget bill.
Why is Blagojevich called Milorad?
In order to afford university costs, Blagojevich worked for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System as a dishwasher. Blagojevich does not have a middle name, but uses the initial "R" in honor of his deceased father. His nickname in the family was " Milorad ," which some have mistakenly thought to be his name at birth.
Why was Blagojevich removed from office?
After being convicted and removed from office by the Illinois Senate, Blagojevich went on Late Show with David Letterman and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, where he re-affirmed his innocence and stated that the Illinois legislature's decision to remove him from office was politically motivated, being due to his unwillingness to raise taxes. He has accused his successor, Pat Quinn, of using state funds excessively for personal leisure. A report later released by the Governor's office showed that most of Quinn's transportation fees were paid for by himself and that Quinn never accepted the $32 meal allowance from the State.
How many times did Blagojevich call the Illinois General Assembly into special session?
Special sessions. Blagojevich called the Illinois General Assembly into special session 36 times while in office, which is half of the total number of special sessions called since 1970. The sessions were blamed for disrupting lawmakers' time off, while Blagojevich himself did not attend the sessions.
What was Blagojevich's criticism of the state budget?
Blagojevich was criticized for using what his opponents called "gimmicks" to balance the state budget. Republicans claimed that he was simply passing the state's fiscal problems on to future generations by borrowing his way to balanced budgets. Indeed, the 2005 state budget called for paying the bills by underfunding a state employees' pension fund by $1.2 billion. During 2008, Blagojevich proposed issuing $16 billion in new bonds for the state to meet pension fund requirements. Blagojevich once told a gathering of black ministers on Chicago's South Side that he was "on the side of our Lord" with his budget proposals.
When did Blagojevich start his universal healthcare plan?
During March 2007, Blagojevich announced and campaigned for his universal healthcare plan, Illinois Covered. The plan was debated in the Illinois State Senate, but came one vote short of passing. He proposed to pay for the plan with the largest tax increase in Illinois history.
