Dec 29, 2008 6:19 pm US/Central
Prosecutors File To Release Blagojevich Recordings
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald wants lawmakers to hear what Gov. Rod Blagojevich says on wiretapped phone calls.
Fitzgerald filed paperwork Monday to release conversations caught on wiretaps to the Illinois House committee moving ahead to impeach Blagojevich.
Federal authorities had more wiretaps than previously disclosed in the investigation of Gov. Blagojevich -- including the cellular telephone of a member the governor's inner circle.
A new government filing in federal court indicates that in November, authorities tapped the cell phone of "Lobbyist 1." The Sun-Times has identified lobbyist 1 as Lon Monk, a former top aide to the governor.
Fitzgerald says disclosing four calls wouldn't interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation.
"These calls bear on a discrete episode of criminal conduct alleged in the complaint affidavit . . . the calls are evidence of a criminal offense that the government was authorized to monitor under the wiretap order," prosecutors wrote in their filing.
Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on federal corruption charges. The governor is accused of trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, but he's denied any wrongdoing.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald wants lawmakers to hear what Gov. Rod Blagojevich says on wiretapped phone calls.
Fitzgerald filed paperwork Monday to release conversations caught on wiretaps to the Illinois House committee moving ahead to impeach Blagojevich.
Federal authorities had more wiretaps than previously disclosed in the investigation of Gov. Blagojevich -- including the cellular telephone of a member the governor's inner circle.
A new government filing in federal court indicates that in November, authorities tapped the cell phone of "Lobbyist 1." The Sun-Times has identified lobbyist 1 as Lon Monk, a former top aide to the governor.
Fitzgerald says disclosing four calls wouldn't interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation.
"These calls bear on a discrete episode of criminal conduct alleged in the complaint affidavit . . . the calls are evidence of a criminal offense that the government was authorized to monitor under the wiretap order," prosecutors wrote in their filing.
Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on federal corruption charges. The governor is accused of trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, but he's denied any wrongdoing.
The Associated Press and STNG Wire contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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