Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200812/20081213/article_384393.htm
Illinois attorney general asks court to remove governor
Created: 2008-12-13 12:00:43
THE Illinois attorney general filed a motion with the state's highest court yesterday asking justices to remove from office Gov. Rod Blagojevich, accused of enriching himself by offering to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat for campaign cash or a lucrative job.
Lisa Madigan took the action yesterday as pressure on the governor intensified to step down. The motion challenges his fitness to serve and asks that the Supreme Court oust him.
Madigan scheduled a news conference in Chicago last morning to discuss the motion.
The move came as the president-elect said he would release in a matter of days the results of an internal investigation into what conversations his aides may have had with Blagojevich. FBI tapes, meanwhile, show the governor made a play for at least one person close to Obama.
The internal probe, which aides described as thorough, is looking to root out every contact between Obama's camp and Blagojevich's camp, according to Obama's representatives.
Nothing in the federal complaint suggests any wrongdoing by Obama or his staff. But the accusations against Blagojevich are an unwelcome distraction to Obama, bringing fresh attention to some of the unsavory characters that have connections, however distant, to Obama and to questions of whether he can follow through on his message of change and clean government.
An examination of the FBI complaint against Blagojevich and the days immediately following Obama's historic election victory suggests the governor was highly interested in Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett as a potential Senate appointee, but with a steep price tag.
In secretly recorded conversations, the Democratic governor said he'd be willing to appoint Jarrett -- Obama's supposed favorite to replace him -- in return for a high-paying job at a national union organization called Change to Win.
The tapes, however, also make it clear that the governor later become angry and suggested Obama's camp was not interested in making a deal.
There was no clear timeline for the self-investigation to end, although Obama told reporters Thursday he would make the results public during "the next few days."
Madigan filed her motion as the governor prayed with several ministers in his home before heading to his office, telling them he is innocent and will be vindicated "when you hear each chapter completely written," according to one of the pastors.
The attorney general asked the court for a temporary restraining order or an injunction that prevents Blagojevich from serving as governor. The filing says he is "unable to serve as governor due to disability and should not rightfully continue to hold that office."
"The pervasive nature and severity of these pending charges disable Mr. Blagojevich from making effective decisions on critical, time-sensitive issues," the filing said.
The filing asks that the lieutenant governor assume Blagojevich's powers.
It is the first time in Illinois history that such an action was taken. The attorney general is applying a rule that was intended to cover cases where a governor is incapacitated for health reasons. Her motion indicates that his inability to serve because of the scandal is akin to a debilitating health issue.
Lisa Madigan took the action yesterday as pressure on the governor intensified to step down. The motion challenges his fitness to serve and asks that the Supreme Court oust him.
Madigan scheduled a news conference in Chicago last morning to discuss the motion.
The move came as the president-elect said he would release in a matter of days the results of an internal investigation into what conversations his aides may have had with Blagojevich. FBI tapes, meanwhile, show the governor made a play for at least one person close to Obama.
The internal probe, which aides described as thorough, is looking to root out every contact between Obama's camp and Blagojevich's camp, according to Obama's representatives.
Nothing in the federal complaint suggests any wrongdoing by Obama or his staff. But the accusations against Blagojevich are an unwelcome distraction to Obama, bringing fresh attention to some of the unsavory characters that have connections, however distant, to Obama and to questions of whether he can follow through on his message of change and clean government.
An examination of the FBI complaint against Blagojevich and the days immediately following Obama's historic election victory suggests the governor was highly interested in Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett as a potential Senate appointee, but with a steep price tag.
In secretly recorded conversations, the Democratic governor said he'd be willing to appoint Jarrett -- Obama's supposed favorite to replace him -- in return for a high-paying job at a national union organization called Change to Win.
The tapes, however, also make it clear that the governor later become angry and suggested Obama's camp was not interested in making a deal.
There was no clear timeline for the self-investigation to end, although Obama told reporters Thursday he would make the results public during "the next few days."
Madigan filed her motion as the governor prayed with several ministers in his home before heading to his office, telling them he is innocent and will be vindicated "when you hear each chapter completely written," according to one of the pastors.
The attorney general asked the court for a temporary restraining order or an injunction that prevents Blagojevich from serving as governor. The filing says he is "unable to serve as governor due to disability and should not rightfully continue to hold that office."
"The pervasive nature and severity of these pending charges disable Mr. Blagojevich from making effective decisions on critical, time-sensitive issues," the filing said.
The filing asks that the lieutenant governor assume Blagojevich's powers.
It is the first time in Illinois history that such an action was taken. The attorney general is applying a rule that was intended to cover cases where a governor is incapacitated for health reasons. Her motion indicates that his inability to serve because of the scandal is akin to a debilitating health issue.
Agencies
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