December 29th., 2008
The Special Investigative Committee investigating the impeachment of Governor Blagojevich will resume our work on Monday, December 29 th in Springfield. So far, the committee has held four public hearings and heard several hours of testimony regarding the behavior of the governor from a variety of witnesses. The committee has moved very deliberately in gathering evidence related to the Governor’s performance and behavior.
It seems frustrating at times that this process is taking as long as it is. However, so far, I feel that we have struck the right balance between moving quickly and respecting the due process rights that we afford anyone in this country accused of wrong-doing. The committee has also gone out of our way to ensure that we are not interfering with the on-going criminal investigation the U.S. Attorney is conducting related to Governor Blagojevich and the criminal complaint that was filed which led to his arrest on December 9 th.
I think it is very important for people to understand that the impeachment of our governor and the criminal case against our governor are two different things. While we are certainly using key aspects of the criminal complaint and affidavit as part of the basis for these proceedings, impeachment is not a criminal proceeding. Impeachment of the governor is the Constitutional power, duty and responsibility of the House of Representatives. The impeachment of the governor can take place with or without criminal proceedings.
Last week, the committee made a request to the U.S. Attorney describing our desire to call certain witnesses in front of the impeachment committee who are also named in the affidavit attached to the criminal complaint. Some of these individuals are likely to be witnesses in the upcoming criminal trial against the governor. We knew when we made the request that it was very unlikely that these individuals would be allowed to testify in front of the impeachment committee. The request was made in the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.
We have since heard from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald regarding our request and almost all of the witnesses and information that we requested were denied. In his response, he explained that public testimony by those we requested could impede his criminal investigation and the eventual prosecution of the governor regarding criminal complaints that were filed which led to his arrest. Obviously, we must respect the U.S. Attorney’s position.
The letter from Fitzgerald did state that we could interview a few people who have been involved with the administration related to charges of illegal hiring and dismissal. That is possible, or we could simply read the court cases related to these individuals into the record. Information presented to the committee relating to the illegal hiring and firing of state workers by the Blagojevich administration will prove valuable when the time comes to make the decision to vote on the issue of impeachment.
In addition, we have the case of Ali Ata to consider. Ali Ata has testified in his plea agreement, which is part of the record, that he twice gave the governor $25,000 in campaign contributions in exchange for a state job. There are over two hundred and fifty members of what has become known as the “Twenty Five Thousand Dollar Club”. These are individuals or companies that made campaign contributions to the governor over at least $25,000 after they had received a contract for state work or a state job.
Also, keep in mind, that in the same seventy-six page sworn affidavit, Governor Blagojevich is clearly quoted in conversations attempting to obtain a $50,000 campaign contribution from the CEO of a Hospital in exchange for advancing an $8 million appropriation to that hospital for a pediatric wing. The complaint clearly charges that Governor Blagojevich was using his office as a means to pressure an individual for a $50,000 donation to his campaign fund.
Much has been said about the Governor’s lawyer, Ed Genson, requesting that Rahm Emanuel, Valarie Jarrett, and Jesse Jackson Jr. be required by subpoena to testify before the committee on impeachment. The U.S. Attorney has since asked the Special Investigative Committee to refrain from issuing subpoenas for these individuals to testify during impeachment hearings. It seems as of now that top advisers to President-elect Obama will be given a pass on testifying before the impeachment committee, but at least some of those individuals could be called to testify at the Governor’s upcoming criminal trial.
There are many other items that have been entered into the record which describe various accounts of questionable behavior by Blagojevich. Some of the behavior dates back to well before the 2006 election. You can read much more than this space allows me to list by going to www.ilga.gov and clicking on the link to the Special investigative Committee under the House of Representatives heading.
When we meet Monday and possibly Tuesday, we will continue to hear testimony regarding the behavior of this governor. Our job is to determine whether or not he has behaved in a manner that warrants his impeachment. Our responsibility is to determine whether he has committed acts of malfeasance, nonfeasance or misfeasance. It is NOT our job to determine whether or not he is criminally guilty. The governor’s high profile and eccentric lawyer has consistently tried to confuse the impeachment proceedings with the criminal proceedings that are yet to come. We cannot allow that to happen.
As my dad used to say, “keep your eye on the ball”. That is what I intend to do as a member of the Special Investigative Committee on Impeachment. No matter how long it takes (and it should not take much longer), I will keep my head still and keep my eye on the ball. The people of the state of Illinois deserve our full commitment to fulfill our Constitutional duty. Later, a judge or jury will determine the criminal fate of Rod Blagojevich and possibly many others.
I want to thank the hundreds of people who have called, e-mailed or simply stopped me to comment on the situation. This governor’s office or the government does not belong to anyone, it belongs to the people and we have a responsibility to listen to you regarding this or any issue that you have on your mind. Please keep in contact in the coming days and weeks at reddyunit1@aol.com. You can also phone me at 618-563-4128 or 217-558-1040. Check my website, www.peopleforeddy.com, for updates as well.