Feb 26, 2008 6:29 pm US/Central
Blagojevich Denies Being 'Public Official A'
Governor Continues To Say He Had No Involvement In Alleged Corruption
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Gov. Blagojevich delivered his annual State of the State address Feb. 20 in Springfield. (File)
CBS
A federal judge confirmed reports that Gov. Rod Blagojevich is "Public Official A" referenced in a number of grand jury indictments, though he has denied that for years and to this day.
CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports some were offended that Blagojevich was not answering any questions the day after a federal judge formally outted him as the "Public Official A" who allegedly benefited from corrupt schemes involving state jobs and pension fund investments.
"That's ridiculous," said Better Government Association Executive Director Jay Stewart. "I mean, come on. The press secretary doesn't know where he is? The taxpayers don't know where he is. He's M.I.A. What are we gonna have to do? Get a new governor in there or somethin'?"
A Blagojevich press office statement said, "We don't know anything. The governor was never involved," echoing what the governor's been saying since these allegations first 2 ½ years ago.
"I don't know who A, B, C or Z is," Blagojevich said. "I have on my side the most powerful ally that exists, and that is the truth."
Blagojevich has never had less credibility.
"I think the governor has a real disconnect with reality," Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) said in a phone interview. "To continue to deny that he's Official A is tantamount to lunacy."
Even if the governor himself did nothing illegal, reformers are angered that those around him did.
You're sort of outraged and stupefied at the same time," Stewart said. "You're outraged that it's occurred. And you're stupefied that anyone would be reckless enough to engage in this conduct, because it's so obviously gonna blow up in your face."
There are likely more embarrassments to come for the governor. Next Monday, his friend and fundraiser, Antoin "Tony" Rezko, goes on trial in front of U.S. District Court Judge Amy St. Eve. One key charge against Rezko alleges that he offered a money manager millions of dollars from a teacher pension fund in exchange for donating $1.5 million to Rod Blagojevich's campaign fund.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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