Blagojevich Indictment Delay Requested To Sort Through Evidence

CHICAGO — U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has filed a motion seeking a 90-day extension to return of an indictment against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Federal prosecutors normally have 30 days to file an indictment against a defendant. That deadline would have been Jan. 7, and the extension would give prosecutors until April 7 instead.

Authorities arrested Blagojevich on Dec. 9 on corruption charges that accuse him of trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoing.

In the motion filed Wednesday, prosecutors ask for more time because "multiple witnesses" have come forward in recent weeks and investigators have to review "thousands of intercepted phone calls."

Comments

[ilovehuffpo]

I am really starting to believe Fitzgerald screwed this up big time. After listening to the facts of this case over the last few weeks, I am gaining sympathy toward Blago.

a) Blago has a big mouth but that is not a crime
b) Why did Fitz even say anything until Blago did something wrong
c) Blago is innocent until proven guilt
d) Court should not allow an add'l 90 days, NO WAY

[ProzacsPerspective]

Unbelievable. Where is the respect for law, let alone the Constitution. And Fitzgerald is suppose to be respectable? This time next week Blago will be merely "Person of interest". lol

(bty, "Person of interest" is a horrible, immoral and I wish illegal term for trial by media. Oh, that's what this is too.)

[Durango]

This is BS.

If he doesn't have the evidence by now, what was all that excitement about?

Blago probably did what he has been accused of but he is innocent until proven guilty. And it is time for Fitzgerald to put up or shut up.

If he doesn't have the evidence . . what in the world has been happening?

A media frenzy backed up by nothing?

[murphy80]

oh, you mean they don't have the evidence yet..............

[blues101]

if they've got so many witnesses and so much stuff on the B they don't need 90 days to come up with something.

[totaldisbelief]

You men that after letting the cat out of the bag his ducks are not all lined up?
What kind of crucifiction is this anyway?

[Birdman]

Oh geeeez the last time this happened no one was convicted of anything really, well Scooter was but was taken care of by Bush. So Fitzi we get a big I'm gonna take em down, to well I have to review the evidence, to just move along people nothing to see here.

[Bystander]

I suspect that Fitzgerald will catch a lot of Democrats in his rabbit snares. This delay will give him more time to do that. Should be interesting!

[carnelld]

America is a country based on the rule of law. The Governor of Illinois has the legal authority to appoint the replacement for Obama. The law giving the Governor the authority to appoint has not been changed by the legislative branch. All politicians are opprtunistic. That is the nature of politics. Why would Mr Burris turn down the appointment? Did Sarah Palin turn down the appoinment to McCains's bid for the presidency. There were many individuals attempting to get the appointment, just as there are many individuals attempting to secure the appointment for the New York Senate seat of Hillary Clinton. The MSM is doing the country a disservice by sensationalising this story and reporting the Republican influenced talking points "tainted". The Republicans would be glad to have the seat. The Democrats are silly to fight their own Democratic appointment to the seat. All the sanctimonious hypocritical talk about this appointment is nothing but an attempt to confuse the real issue. Legally, Dick Durbain is a Senator . He is not the Czar of Illinois politics. Thank God for the rule of law and the separated three branches of government. The courts will rule on the issues based on the rule of law, and not a group of citizens who have lost the vision for which America stands. Remember how many informed citizens who felt (and some still feel) Obama can't be President. The "rule of law" is bigger than a chorus of media mis-infrormed group of "cackling hens'.

[zakon]

Blago's FBI based 'scandal' is public knowledge likely because he started attacking Bank of America over their failure to lend to businesses.

Spitzer's FBI based 'scandal' is public knowledge likely because he made too many Wall Street enemies.

Entrenched money interests call favors to protect themselves, even to bring down out of line governors of the largest states.

How many politicians are getting some sort of kick-back? How many politicians are paying for sex?

Fitzgerald, produce your evidence and produce it now!!!! At least get this scam job rolling and over with, what additional games are you playing???

Hoover's FBI, Watergate (Deep Throat was Deputy of FBI and knew of their corruption), political Bush appointees of Attorney Generals, .... it's the pot calling the kettle black!

However, I suspect the FBI is just doing what it is told to do, someone else called in this favor.

[zakon]

Am I allowed to accuse the FBI of corruption and political gaming well?? Hoovers FBI, Deep Throat/Watergate, Attorney General hiring/firing, etc.

Ami I allowed to think FBI cases bringing down two of the most powerful governors is tied to the governors' attacks on Wall Street and the largest banks in America?

Is it just me, or does the charges coming out against Blago the DAY AFTER HIS ATTACK ON BANK OF AMERICA seem too much of a coincidence?? And now the AG wants an extension??

[jcwtts1]

Yes you are allowed to accuse. The problem is that you have no proof. When you accuse you don't destroy the live of multiple people. When the Justice Dept accuses they destroy people will little or no proof. My answer to Fitz is NO MORE TIME. Charge indite or move on. This guy basically ruins Obama along with Blago, for Weeks all we hear is Obama's seat Obama Obama Obama. And now he wants until when, April. He won't be US attorney in April. All GOP US attorneys are going to be bounced.

[rollingdivision]

This just keeps getting better every day. It's about time for the feds to indict Rangel to get the second ring of the Democratic cronyism and corruption circus on stage.

[MESGAIN26]

I BE CAREFULL IF I WAS YOU AFTER COLLEMEN UNDER INVESTIGATION AS YOU SPEAK

[SF13]

Give me a break. Blago has been "under investigation" for 5 years ! Now Fitzgerald needs 3 more months ? Sounds like Fitz is trying to keep his job 3 months longer. I think Obama should replace him immediately and let a new lawyer continue the investigation/indictment.

[maxfax]

"indictment delay requested to sort through evidence"

Is that interpreted to mean, they already screwed it up?

[nomobull]

why couldn't it just be more evidence than expected. once the ball got rolling like a snowball it gets bigger.

[naschkatze]

Sorting through evidence sounds a bit like a fishing expedition. Either he had enough goods on Blagojevich to arrest him, or he didn't.

[Curiouser]

Every single time Blago opens his mouth, he indicts himself. The man is a walking, swearing, corrupt opportunist.

People blaming Fitzgerald at this point does no good at all.

[NotMcCain]

I think of Fitzgerald's incompetence (or partisanship?) every time I see Cheney or Rove walking free.

Replace him, as soon as its possible. (And, wanna bet he doesn't have enough for a grand jury to indict?)

[TJCole]

Patrick Fitzgerald let Karl Rove lie over and over and perjure himself before the Grand Jury during his multiple false testimonies he made under oath..!

Fitzgerald aided and abetted Rove's criminal acts in the Plame Case, and exposing a CIA agent during a time of War is a National Security crime, among many others, running a voter fraud scam out of the White House and of much greater significance than this Blago dirty dealing garbage..

Don't trust this Fitzgerald, he wasted whatever credibility he may have had, as far as the rule of law and impartiality..!