CNN Files Motion To Unseal Blagojevich Wiretaps

CHICAGO (AP) -- News organizations are urging federal Judge James B. Zagel to unseal materials in the corruption case against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The latest request came Monday as Cable News Network asked the court to unseal FBI wiretap recordings of Blagojevich.

CNN's brief said "a prosecution which is done in secret, either in whole or in part, runs contrary to our constitutional notions of justice."

The Chicago Tribune wants the court to unseal documents concerning Blagojevich co-defendant William Cellini, a Springfield power broker.

The matter may come up at a hearing scheduled for Friday.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comments

[dnpvd51]

Blagojevich is getting railroaded, and all these Yahoos make fun of him.

No wonder our criminal justice system is broken.

If a governor can get railroaded, anyone can.

[PeaceIsMyName]

Why does CNN care so much? Gratuitous? It's yesterday's news - who cares!

CNN should be visiting to get those torture photographs released instead...

[PeaceIsMyName]

*trying not visiting :D

[Palemoon]

"a prosecution which is done in secret, either in whole or in part, runs contrary to our constitutional notions of justice."

CNN, you just made the BEST QUOTE EVER! Finally, finally, finally, someone, somewhere, somehow, wants to get to the bottom of the case. It's clear, as I've said dozens of times on here, that Fitzgerald has been bluffing the entire time. And that there will never be a formal case brought against Blago, period.

The more that time, and inaction, goes by, the more I'm proven right.

[naschkatze]

I don't think Fitzgerald is going to sue Peter Lance and Harper Colllins either. He tried to bluff them into suppressing the paperback version of Triple Cross but failed. I'm pretty sure the judge who is going to handle the Blagojevich case told Fitzgerald he has to be ready to go to court by next fall--no dragging this out into an endless fishing expedition. I think you will be proven right that he didn't have much to go on when he arrested Blagojevich. He was grandstanding to keep his job while Obama was still in Chicago and he could meet him face to face.

[Palemoon]

You got some points, but consider this. All of the damage done by the false arrest... Blago impeached, Dems slandered in Illinois, of which that is practically guaranteed to be a bright red state in 2010 across every level of government. Plus it gives every single GOP running for election, or re-election in 2010 the perfect cannon fodder to use in hit piece attack ads.

Meanwhile, when Fitzgerald ends up dropping all charges, will they give Blago back his Governorship? Or any kind of apology? Or cash settlement to make up for lost wages, defamation of character, etc?

[Okieborn]

There is no doubt that blagojevich has done some wrong, but why oh why don't they go after the bigger fish Cheney , Bush, Rumsfeld and the rest of the gang !!
Oh Yea !!
The call it Free Passes for the rich people !!!

[PDXTransplant]

When I look at him, I think no wonder Patty is so determined to stay in the Costa Rican jungle and eat bugs. Good lord.

[jalowe1957]

If they played them out on the airwaves, it will take a lot of bleep-outs to sanitize them for public consumption.

Trust me, the decency enforcers at the FCC are going to be lying on the floor and turning blue after hearing what's contained in those wiretaps.

[naschkatze]

Blagojevich should not be convicted in court or out of court on vulgarities. Just as long as critical material doesn't get bleeped out.

[crookedcountyillinois]

Why would something like that be sealed anyways? Of course the public has a right to hear them.

[protagonia]

Expose him. Rid us of this blight, and then go after all the republicans that have committed far worse crimes and expunge them as well.