From one crook to another

[boomman]

This guy replaced Ryan! Corruption continues to "rear its ugly head":mad:

Boomer

CHICAGO – Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

Otherwise, Blagojevich considered appointing himself. The affidavit said that as late as Nov. 3, he told his deputy governor that if "they're not going to offer me anything of value I might as well take it."

"I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain," Blagojevich allegedly said later that day, according to the affidavit, which also quoted him as saying in a remark punctuated by profanity that the seat was "a valuable thing — you just don't give it away for nothing."

The affidavit said Blagojevich also discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

It said Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office. He noted becoming a U.S. senator might remake his image for a possible presidential run in 2016, according to the affidavit. And he allegedly said a Senate seat would also provide him with corporate contacts if he needed a job and present an opportunity for his wife to work as a lobbyist.

"I want to make money," the affidavit quotes him as saying in one conversation.

The affidavit said Blagojevich expressed frustration at being "stuck" as governor and that he would have access to greater resources if he were indicted while in the U.S. Senate than while sitting as governor.

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement that "the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering."

"They allege that Blagojevich put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States senator," Fitzgerald said."

Among those being considered for the post include U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Jesse Jackson Jr.

Blagojevich also was charged with using his authority as governor in an attempt to squeeze out campaign contributions.

His chief of staff, John Harris, also was arrested.

[Tom Barrister]

(This originally appeared in Handicapping Discussion.)

What does this have to do with horse race handicapping or even horse racing?

Here is a link to the story:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/09/illinois.govenor/index.html

[ryesteve]

Unless I'm missing those secret invisible clues that will point me to the early double at Hawthorne, I'm not sure why this is in the handicapping section...

[boomman]

So waste that valuable handicapping time telling me its in wrong section..Quick PA move it over so these guys don't cry!:mad:

Boomer

[ryesteve]

Hey, don't blame the messengers just because you can't follow the TOS...

[Tom Barrister]

So waste that valuable handicapping time telling me its in wrong section..Quick PA move it over so these guys don't cry!:mad:

Boomer

If you'd put it in the right forum to begin with, we wouldn't have had to waste our time complaining.

What a shock that another Illinois governor was caught cheating. How many is that now: four? Otto Kerner, Dan Walker, and of course George Ryan all come immeidately to mind.

[Tom]

One of the charges is about a bribe for a horse racing bill waiting to be signed, which was also one of the reasons they made the arrests now. I'd be interested in the details on that part of it.

[point given]

The horse racing connection was just announced by the Attorney General of Illinois in an example on CNN. There is a bill oh the Govs. desk pertaining to casino and horseracing law which would take effect upon payment of a fee to push it through. There was another cited instance of a Childrens Hopital which was to receive $8 million which was being withheld until a payment was made to the gov. as well. So there you have your relation to horseracing of this topic. Chicago.... that toddling town :blush:


(This originally appeared in Handicapping Discussion.)

What does this have to do with horse race handicapping or even horse racing?

Here is a link to the story:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/09/illinois.govenor/index.html

[Tom Barrister]

So there you have your relation to horseracing of this topic. Chicago.... that toddling town :blush:

What does it have to do with handicapping?

[TurfRuler]

Early handicappers were touts, so what the governor was doing was touting his ability to make appointments.

[boomman]

What does it have to do with handicapping?

So you have enough time to ask again what it's doing here? I hit the wrong button you clown, so sue me! My god, I can't wait for the almighty barrister or his pal rye to f**k up. Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

Boomer

[slewis]

One of the charges is about a bribe for a horse racing bill waiting to be signed, which was also one of the reasons they made the arrests now. I'd be interested in the details on that part of it.


Hey Tom...


Does this make you (and anyone else) wonder how NYRA was able to retain the franchise after being prosecuted and threatened....Especially when the same guy doing the prosecuting does a 360 and awards them not 3, or 5 but 25 yrs!!!!

Oh, wait, I forgot Andy, (aka little guy) NYRA owned the land. (yeah right)

This case was as much as a slam dunk for the state as an OJ conviction (in his wifes murder)would have been with an all KKK jury.

If everyone is so naive as to believe the crap that comes from our politicians these days, we have only ourselves to blame.
This is what our great country as evolved into.
Wealth, power, payoffs and corruption.
If anyone also thinks that this is a just a Dem or Rep thing... then your REALLY a fool.

[thruncy]

This guy replaced Ryan! Corruption continues to "rear its ugly head":mad:

Boomer

CHICAGO – Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.

Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

Otherwise, Blagojevich considered appointing himself. The affidavit said that as late as Nov. 3, he told his deputy governor that if "they're not going to offer me anything of value I might as well take it."

"I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain," Blagojevich allegedly said later that day, according to the affidavit, which also quoted him as saying in a remark punctuated by profanity that the seat was "a valuable thing — you just don't give it away for nothing."

The affidavit said Blagojevich also discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

It said Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office. He noted becoming a U.S. senator might remake his image for a possible presidential run in 2016, according to the affidavit. And he allegedly said a Senate seat would also provide him with corporate contacts if he needed a job and present an opportunity for his wife to work as a lobbyist.

"I want to make money," the affidavit quotes him as saying in one conversation.

The affidavit said Blagojevich expressed frustration at being "stuck" as governor and that he would have access to greater resources if he were indicted while in the U.S. Senate than while sitting as governor.

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement that "the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering."

"They allege that Blagojevich put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States senator," Fitzgerald said."

Among those being considered for the post include U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Jesse Jackson Jr.

Blagojevich also was charged with using his authority as governor in an attempt to squeeze out campaign contributions.

His chief of staff, John Harris, also was arrested.He's made the Tollway system very dangerous for those without an "I-Pass." He thinks everything is HIS cash cow as do most Chicago people in that eternally corrupt place....How did Obama come out of it with his hands clean?!

[dav4463]

What does it have to do with handicapping?

So you have enough time to ask again what it's doing here? I hit the wrong button you clown, so sue me! My god, I can't wait for the almighty barrister or his pal rye to f**k up. Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

Boomer
You should get the death penalty! :D

[ryesteve]

How did Obama come out of it with his hands clean?!Because they are clean.

See Boomer, this is exactly where I knew this shit was eventually headed.

[Floyd]

Hi, guys.
I just dropped in to join the pile up on boomman, because the Bible doesn't say anything about which guy gets to throw the second stone. After the first stone it's open season, right?

[BIG49010]

If you look at the documents, someone gave a 60k bribe, to get the Gov. (who hated racing from the start) to hopefully sign an extension of a bill that gives the tracks a percentage of the Casino profits in Illinois.

If it doesn't go through the purses in Illinois will drop in half I have hear?

[Show Me the Wire]

I vote that this thread stays here. There is already a discussion in the off topic about the Govenor. If the purses are cut in half it will effect people that handicap class using purse structure. That is a valid point.

[boomman]

Because they are clean.

See Boomer, this is exactly where I knew this shit was eventually headed.

rye: My post was about yet ANOTHER corrupt politician. You assume (incorrectly by the way) that just because Obama is from this corrupt state that I started this thread to cast a stone (expression used by one of the other posters) at him? I am sick of politicians having their hand out in any state with the "what's in it for me" mentality and hope they jail everyone of 'em. Anything else read into this thread is simply your interpretation.............

Boomer

[cmoore]

What does it have to do with handicapping?

So you have enough time to ask again what it's doing here? I hit the wrong button you clown, so sue me! My god, I can't wait for the almighty barrister or his pal rye to f**k up. Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

Boomer

Unreal...These guys act like your broke the frickin law by putting it in the wrong area..That's your one mistake at PA..One more and one of them might be knocking on your door..:D

[boomman]

[QUOTE=boomman]

Unreal...These guys act like your broke the frickin law by putting it in the wrong area..That's your one mistake at PA..One more and one of them might be knocking on your door..:D

cmoore: Kind of what I was thinking.............:lol:

Boomer

[Tom]

I am forced to ponder.....what did Obama know and when did he know it?

[so.cal.fan]

I predict by this time next year, we'll all have our home pages set to PA!
The scandals will become the topic of everyday!
:D

[Show Me the Wire]

This tickles my funny bone. The liberal dem bloggers are all upset because they feel a "feeding frenzy' is taking place over the Blogo scandal that is now ensnaring Jesse Jackson Jr.

The very same complainers,that work themselves up to feeding frenzies over imagined republican politician wrong doing, as well as. real wrong doing have the nerve to complain about justified indignation regarding corruption stemming from a continuing criminal enterprise overseen by a dem.

[wonatthewire1]

This tickles my funny bone. The liberal dem bloggers are all upset because they feel a "feeding frenzy' is taking place over the Blogo scandal that is now ensnaring Jesse Jackson Jr.

The very same complainers,that work themselves up to feeding frenzies over imagined republican politician wrong doing, as well as. real wrong doing have the nerve to complain about justified indignation regarding corruption stemming from a continuing criminal enterprise overseen by a dem.

ewww....you read liebral dimm bloggers?

Hope you wash up well afterward so that those germs don't spread to the good guys on our side

[Tom]

Kind of hard to believe Obama could have waded through that cesspool that is Illinois and not get some on him. This governor should do hard time, once they pry him out from under the bus! :lol:

[ddog]

This tickles my funny bone. The liberal dem bloggers are all upset because they feel a "feeding frenzy' is taking place over the Blogo scandal that is now ensnaring Jesse Jackson Jr.

The very same complainers,that work themselves up to feeding frenzies over imagined republican politician wrong doing, as well as. real wrong doing have the nerve to complain about justified indignation regarding corruption stemming from a continuing criminal enterprise overseen by a dem.


"IMAGINED" :eek: :eek: , you are not even trying anymore are you?

:lol:

[rastajenk]

The Plame thing was a contrived gimmick. And the Air National Guard documents were phony. And the whole 9/11 Troofer movement is patently stupid. Yes, I think imagined is a good modifier.

[GaryG]

JJ Jr got the North Side Budweiser distributorship when daddy threatened a boycott calling A-Busch racists. So, it only makes sense that he would seek to buy a senate seat. Oh, he says he didn't do anything wrong. We will see soon enough.

[Tom]

The nuts don't fall far from the tree. :lol:

[Show Me the Wire]

Don't listen to the pablum about Obama not being an ally of Blago. Obama is an ally of Blago.

As far as Jr. it seems the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree.

This investigation will lead to the Obama team, if it is truly allowed to go forward.

And so much for the transperency Obama claimed he will have in his administration. He is already sonewalling as the president-elect. As I said before, if you think Bush was as imperial presidency, you ain't seen nuttin' yet.

Hey ddog, I said "real" too.

wonatthewire1:

I subcribe to the know your competition philosophy.

[boxcar]

Don't listen to the pablum about Obama not being an ally of Blago. Obama is an ally of Blago.

As far as Jr. it seems the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree.

This investigation will lead to the Obama team, if it is truly allowed to go forward.

And so much for the transperency Obama claimed he will have in his administration. He is already sonewalling as the president-elect. As I said before, if you think Bush was as imperial presidency, you ain't seen nuttin' yet.

Hey ddog, I said "real" too.

wonatthewire1:

I subcribe to the know your competition philosophy.

And what's really a riot is that the dimwits believe he has surrounded himself with a bunch of "centrists", which is the farthest thing from the truth. His administration will prove to be comprised of the most radical leftists in U.S. history. Mark my words on this.

Boxcar

[Tom]

Blago is Postie! :eek:

[chickenhead]

And what's really a riot is that the dimwits believe he has surrounded himself with a bunch of "centrists", which is the farthest thing from the truth. His administration will prove to be comprised of the most radical leftists in U.S. history. Mark my words on this.
Boxcar

Weren't you on here about a week ago laughing about how Obama has betrayed the left, and about how they were fools for believing he represented them?

Now, a week later, and you're guaranteeing that he's to the left of Marx, and will give them everything.

Is the idea to issue iron clad lead pipe lock guarantees on every possible outcome?

I'll admit, a shrewd strategy.

[TurfRuler]

There are street crooks; drug dealers, prostitutes, purse snachers, who wind up during serious time, and there are other criminal that do no time at all, but they sure mess up peoples lives the most; including Republican politicians.

Lawyer Accused in Massive Hedge Fund Fraud 12/9/08

A prominent New York lawyer arrested this week on fraud charges ranks as “a Houdini of impersonation and false documents” who used guile, a box of cellphones and a series of phony Web sites and e-mail addresses to steal more than $380 million, a federal prosecutor said on Thursday.

The prosecutor, Jonathan R. Streeter, made the allegations in United States District Court in Manhattan, where he successfully argued that the lawyer, Marc S. Dreier, 58, should be held without bail on wire and securities fraud charges.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/nyregion/12lawyer.html?partner=rss&emc=rss


Prominent Trader Accused of Defrauding Clients

On Wall Street, his name is legendary. With money he had made as a lifeguard on the beaches of Long Island, he built a trading powerhouse that had prospered for more than four decades. At age 70, he had become an influential spokesman for the traders who are the hidden gears of the marketplace.

But on Thursday morning, this consummate trader, Bernard L. Madoff, was arrested at his Manhattan home by federal agents who accused him of running a multibillion-dollar fraud scheme — perhaps the largest in Wall Street’s history.

Regulators have not yet verified the scale of the fraud. But the criminal complaint filed against Mr. Madoff on Thursday in federal court in Manhattan reports that he estimated the losses at $50 billion. “

Mr. Madoff invited the two executives to his Manhattan apartment that evening. When they joined him there, he told them that his money-management business was “all just one big lie” and “basically, a giant Ponzi scheme.”

The senior employees understood him to be saying that he had for years been paying returns to certain investors out of the cash received from other investors.

In that conversation, according to the criminal complaint, Mr. Madoff “stated that he was ‘finished,’ that he had ‘absolutely nothing.’ ”

According to the S.E.C., Mr. Madoff confessed to an F.B.I. agent that there was “no innocent explanation” for his behavior and he expected to go to jail. He had lost money on his trades, he told the agent, and had “paid investors with money that wasn’t there.”

Mr. Madoff ran the business with several family members, including his brother Peter, his nephew Charles, his niece Shana and his sons Mark and Andrew.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/business/12scheme.html?em