Dec 5, 2008 11:07 am US/Central
Report: Federal Agents Taped Gov. Blagojevich
Chicago Tribune: Blagojevich Adviser John Wyma Helped With Investigation
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Gov. Rod Blagojevich (File)
CBS
Federal agents made undercover tape recordings of Gov. Rod Blagojevich with the help of one of his closest advisers, according to a published report issued Friday.
The Chicago Tribune reported that former Blagojevich aide John Wyma helped with an investigation that led to tapings of Blagojevich and others.
Wyma was Blagojevich's chief of staff when the governor was representing the Illinois' 5th District in Congress, and his name has been tied to aspects of the federal investigation, including a recent subpoena.
In October, federal prosecutors subpoenaed records from Mokena-based Provena Hospital regarding Wyma's work for the hospital. Wyma was registered to represent Provena when it got approval from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board in April 2004 to proceed with development of an open-heart surgery unit in Elgin.
The federal subpoena sought information on the hospital's push for state approval of the heart program and a $25,000 donation the company's for-profit affiliate gave to Blagojevich's campaign fund.
In 2005, Wyma was involved in a real estate deal with the governor's wife, Patricia Blagojevich, who has a home-based real estate company. Wyma client Mark Wight sold a $650,000 condominium to Wyma, paying the first lady a $30,000 commission. Wight's architecture firm later won $10 million in no-bid state contracts for tollway work.
Investigators are looking into allegations of corruption, involving Blagojevich and the Health Facilities Planning Board, as well as the Teachers Retirement System. The investigation has been going on for several years, and initially, Blagojevich dismissed the claims. But the probe later resulted in the indictment and conviction of Antoin "Tony" Rezko, Blagojevich's chief political fundraiser.
In another development, FBI agents searched two Joliet businesses owned by Harish Bhatt, a longtime Blagojevich supporter.
Agents descended upon Basinger and Essington pharmacies early in the morning and combed through paperwork. The FBI would only say it's part of an ongoing federal investigation.
Bhatt told reporters agents weren't looking into him, adding, "We have nothing to do with it."
Last year, the Tribune named Bhatt as being part of an ongoing investigation into Blagojevich's administration. The paper reported state police were looking into whether Bhatt solicited campaign donations in exchange for state favors.
Bhatt and Blagojevich go back years. Bhatt has raised thousands of dollars for the governor. And just this year, another Blagojevich fundraiser, Antoin "Tony" Rezko, was convicted on pay-to-play corruption charges.
CBS 2's "Truth in Politics" reported two months ago that federal investigators believe they have enough evidence to charge the governor with tax fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice.
A Blagojevich spokesperson says there is no indication the Joliet raids have anything to do with the governor's administration, so he is issuing no formal comment.
A decision to file criminal charges, though, will not be made by the FBI and IRS agents currently crawling all over the governor's personal and political affairs. Before a sitting governor can be charged, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald will need to get a green light from his Justice Department superiors in Washington.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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