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…
“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.
MIDWEST WING: Giordano’s pizza ordered from the White House? Goose Island beer at Washington parties? A crew of young Chicagoans has followed Obama to the capital. They are bringing a touch of home to D.C.’s social scene—just as Washington ways are shaping them
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…
THE REAL DEAL: Groupon, the social-media-driven shopping site, is the hottest Internet start-up in town. Can it become the city’s big high-tech breakthrough?
August 2010: Lilli Carré, Brendan Pelsue, Robert Buscemi, Nina Kokotas Hahn, Daniel Shea
IN AUGUST’S LETTERS: Questioning our taste in movies
CHICAGO’S GOT GAME: Spanning more than 100 years, the city’s 40 most memorable sports moments mix thrilling victories with agonizing defeats
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.
THE ACCIDENTAL THIEF: A local mom is banned from Whole Foods for life for accidentally walking out with an item she didn’t buy.
