Felsenthal Files

07/28/10

Veteran Defense Lawyer: Blago Will Win Some Counts

After the closing arguments on Tuesday, I called a prominent defense lawyer in town whom I’ve known for decades. He asked not to be identified, but his insights are worth sharing as jurors begin deliberating today in the corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich. Caveat: His experience, legal acumen, and street smarts are from years of working as a criminal defense attorney...

Posted at 12:25 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (2)

07/20/10

Eight Things You Didn't Know about Robert Blagojevich

The Blagojevich defense opened its case Monday with the ex-gov’s older-by-16-months brother, Robert Blagojevich, testifying on behalf of Rod (and also himself—Rob is the alleged middle man in the plot to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat). Rob, 54, said on the stand that the siblings were close growing up, but they...

Posted at 03:52 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (3)

07/19/10

Blago Defense Lawyer: Ex-Gov 'Runs the Show'

"Quite frankly, it’s [Blagojevich’s] case, and it’s the high stakes that he’s facing, so he certainly runs the show on many of these things," says Aaron Goldstein, the youngest—and arguably the most effective—member of Blago's defense team.

Posted at 02:07 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (6)

07/14/10

Will Blago Drag Jesse Jackson Jr. Down with Him?

In tapes played for the jury last week at the Blago trial, the ex-gov was heard telling aides that if both Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. were drowning, and he could only save one, he’d probably pick Jackson. Back in the ’90s, Jackson was said to be Blago’s closest friend in the Illinois congressional delegation...

Posted at 03:29 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (5)

07/09/10

Blago's Lawyers Feel Judge's Heat

By several accounts, Blago’s defense lawyers have come off looking like rookies—often tutored by U.S. District Judge James Zagel in a manner reminiscent of a an impatient and bored professor. (Don’t start a question with “so,” etc.) That goes for Sam Adam, father and son; for Blago’s old friend and former employer Sheldon Sorosky; and for Aaron Goldstein, the youngest of the group at 35. If Zagel gave Goldstein...

Posted at 01:07 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (4)

07/02/10

Blago’s “Regular Guy” Act Takes a Hit with IRS Agent's Testimony about His Suit Addiction

“I hear you’re an Oxxford guy,” I said to Rod Blagojevich in 2003, shortly after he became governor. His beady, closely-set eyes popped in excitement, and he launched into a detailed timeline of his suit and “accessories” purchases. Blago’s enthusiasm was palpable, but I didn’t know its $200,000 pricetag until the IRS weighted in this week at his trial...

Posted at 10:49 AM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (5)

06/30/10

Jonathan Alter Dishes on Obama, Rahm, Desiree, and More

Jonathan Alter grew up in Lincoln Park before heading east for school and then to New York to write for Newsweek. Currently the national affairs columnist for the beleaguered magazine, Alter is also the author of The Promise, a fast-paced analysis of President Obama’s first year. In Chicago to promote his book, the journalist stopped by my house last week...

Posted at 10:24 AM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (2)

06/28/10

Whom Did Blago Hero-Worship? Not Teddy Roosevelt or FDR—Try Richard Nixon

When Rod was at the top of his game in 2003, just after he was elected governor—and when fantasies of the Oval Office danced in his head—he told me that his favorite presidents were Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. But the memories Blago shared with me during our interviews showed something different: from boyhood on, he was obsessed with Richard Nixon...

Posted at 10:48 AM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (7)

06/22/10

Don’t Believe What You Heard Yesterday at Blago’s Trial: Bradley Tusk Had a Crony Sponsor

Bradley Tusk, who served as deputy governor during Rod Blagojevich’s first term, was in the hot seat yesterday at the former gov’s corruption trial. I met Tusk, then 30, while interviewing Blago in 2003, and I continued to follow his career because he seemed like such an anomaly in the administration: a young man hired for his abilities rather than his...

Posted at 02:55 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (1)

06/18/10

Could Jan Schakowsky Lose in November?

Joel Pollak, the 32-year-old Harvard-educated Tea-Party-backed candidate for the 9th Congressional District (currently occupied by Jan Schakowsky), had what seemed like a hugely successful fundraiser on Wednesday afternoon. Featuring Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz, the luncheon was held at the...

Posted at 01:29 PM in Felsenthal Files | Permalink | Comments (9)