Nov 10, 2007 7:21 pm US/Central
State Police Probe Blagojevich Fundraiser
Reports: Fundraiser Is Accused Of Shaking Down Pharmacy Owner For Campaign Donation
CHICAGO (AP) ―
Illinois State Police have reopened an investigation into whether a fundraiser illegally pressured a pharmacy owner to donate $25,000 to the campaign fund of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, according to published reports.
State Police spokesman Lt. Scott Compton told the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times that the matter is now an ongoing investigation.
Chicago pharmacy owner Jatin Patel has claimed that fundraiser Harish Bhatt encouraged him in 2005 to make a campaign contribution so his pharmacy would be treated fairly in a Medicaid fraud dispute.
An attorney for Bhatt called the allegations "absolutely false" and "defamatory."
Blagojevich campaign spokesman Doug Scofield said such tactics would not have been condoned by the campaign.
The state police said last month that they had already investigated the allegations and determined they weren't founded. But they said last week they are looking at them again.
"Certainly, that case has been reopened and it is being actively investigated," Compton said Friday. "That's all I can say at this time."
Blagojevich has been besieged by accusations in recent years.
His administration has been accused of trading state jobs, appointments and contracts for political contributions. And federal prosecutors have acknowledged they're investigating "serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" under Blagojevich.
Blagojevich supporters have pointed out that prosecutors are examining all levels of government, not just the state Capitol. The governor has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
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