The Adams family (son and father) visited Blagojevich in Littleton. The Chicago Tribune reports, Blagojevich is in good health and spirit. He is offering to teach Greek Mythology and Shakespeare courses at the prison library and was telling jokes non-stop during the Adams’ visit. The Adams, Blagojevich’s friends and former defense attorneys during his first corruption trial state Blagojevich has found a new fan base in prison and remains hopeful for his upcoming appeal. They also let us know that his hair is still “dark.” Make no mistake whatever the PR message is: Prison life is hard; the toughest thing Blagojevich ever did! It’s important to keep up your spirits while incarcerated – and to keep hopeful. I’m sure a new “Message” will be released soon to keep Blagojevich in the public mind and eye … but hey, if that helps the former governor to stay hopeful and connected – why not! When it comes to family visits, Blagojevich is already a statistic: Patti and the girls visited him one time so far.
Hudson Trial Update
Jennifer Hudson’s testimony today did not shed any light on the murder of her family. When Julia Hudson – Jennifer Hudson’s sister – took the stand things changed. During a two-hour testimony she reported that her relationship with Balfour was strained and that he was very jealous. As expected Public Defender Thompson pointed out that Julia maintained a sexual relationship with Balfour until days before the murders took place while Gambino said, “The sex was good but that doesn’t make a marriage.” Correct Mr. Prosecutor– there are three relational pillars: Friendship aka Trust, Communication, and Sexual Attraction. I would add Lifestyle as pillar number 4. Hence sex alone doesn’t make a marriage but it kept a dysfunctional relationship alive and hence it is a hot topic in the Hudson trial and could make this a “crime of passion.”
Thompson pressed Julia as to why she had not reported Balfour’s threats to the Chicago Police. I covered that earlier: When we are familiar with individuals we often do not take their threats seriously. We may care, be attracted to them, or simply be in disbelieve that the other person could actually act on his threats.
In summary, both the defense and prosecution attempt to use the sexual entanglement between Julia and Balfour as their operational platform!
Jennifer Hudson Family Trial
The Highlight of the Chicago Criminal Court Season and largely circumstantial triple murder-trial of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew started today. William Balfour, estranged – husband of Hudson’s sister and convicted felon is accused of the triple murder but eye witnesses and DNA evidence are lacking. Rumor has it that the triple murder could instead be linked to Hudson’s brother’s drug dealing activities in the neighborhood as reported in The Chicago Tribune on April 22nd, 2012.
Hudson will likely be the first prosecution witness. Her notoriety adds emotionality to the trial and makes it more challenging for the defense to present their case. An additional cliffhanger is the sexual entanglement of Balfour and Hudson’s sister until shortly prior to the 2008 murders which adds a potential element of passion for the defense team.
France’s Election Frenzy: Sarkozy Vs Hollande
Socialist Francois Hollande leads France’s first round of presidential election with a small margin (28.6 percent versus 27.1 percent) over centrist and current president Nicolas Sarkozy. France’s presidential election is very important for Europe as France and Germany are the leading economies in a Europe that faces financial and social crisis.
Le Penn’s comment after she and her voters succeeded to derail France’s two-party system: “We have blown apart the monopoly of the two parties of banking, finance and multinationals. “Nothing will ever be the same.” Holding on to her power she declines to endorse either of the “winning” candidates.
The John Edwards Trial: Money, Sex, and Politics
Former presidential hopeful John Edwards’ criminal court proceedings are set to start today in Greensboro, N.C. Charged with six counts of campaign finance law violations Edwards’ trial yields ethical significance: In the past campaign finance violations were settled in civil court focusing on monetary payback while Edwards’ case is settled in criminal court holding a promise of 30 years imprisonment plus $1.5 million in fines.
Former North Carolina senator and two-time Democratic presidential candidate Edwards, had fallen from grace after the discovery of his extramarital affair with former campaign worker Rielle Hunter. Edwards fathered her child and used allegedly more than $1 million dollars to keep his private business …“private.”
Hudson Trial Starts Jury Selection
Judge Charles Burns opened the high-profile Hudson trial with the jury selection process today: 14 of 18 (12 jurors and six alternatives) are so far selected. The selected jury is diverse in age, education, and ethnicity. Two even claim not to know Jennifer Hudson, hard to believe as she is Chicago’s sweetheart and former American Idol contestant! While Hudson is adored in her hometown, her claim to fame complicates the jury selection, promises the trial to be potentially televised and to be “the case” of the 2012 Chicago Criminal Court Season.
Considering the heinousness of the crime – Hudson’s mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew were shot in Englewood in 2008, it’s hard to find an objective jury for William Balfour. Balfour is accused of having killed Jennifer Hudson’s relatives in rage and jealousy as his ex-wife had started to date another man.
Balfour is currently housed at Cook County Jail in Chicago and charged with triple first-degree homicide. Balfour who married Julia Hudson – Jennifer’s sister – in late 2006, has a longstanding history of uncontrollable temper, jealousy and lack of impulse control.
Separated since February 2008, the estranged couple continued to engage in sexual relations as stated in court filings. When the intoxicated Belfour showed up at Julia Hudson’s house on the morning of Sweetest Day he saw balloons: A gift from Julia’s new boyfriend. He was visually upset. Work saved Julia’s life, yet she never was to see her family again.
The case is largely circumstantial as little forensic evidence is present. In addition, Julia Hudson and William Balfour’s exchanges may be considered private and confidential because they were married at the time of the murder. The question is how the defense will spin the case: For now Balfour claims his innocence.
The public may ask, was it a crime of passion or the bewildered act of a psychopath? Why did Julia Hudson not take Balfour’s frequent threats seriously?
As I mentioned in my earlier post on the Hudson trial: “On a rational level it is hard to understand how Julia or anybody in her situation won’t take precautions in the face of clear and present danger. However on an emotional level –including still being entangled with Balfour sexually and interpersonally – it makes sense. An intimate level of connection often gives individuals the impression of knowing and being able to gage and control the reactions of partners and ex-partners. Ironically, Julia may have listened less to her instincts because she was intimately familiar with Balfour.”
Former Blagojevich Chief of Staff Hits The Jackpot: John Harris Lucks Out With A Ten Day Prison Stint
John Harris, former governor Blagojevich’s chief of staff was sentenced to 10 days in prison on Wednesday 28, 2012. Harris was the key witness for the government during the two Blagojevich trials. Unlike Blagojevich he stepped down form his position as chief of staff immediately after his arrest, plead guilty to one count of conspiring to solicit funds (aka attempting to sell the vacated Obama senate seat), and was very cooperative with the government. Judge Zagel showed his softer side with Harris who had a successful career, first serving as intelligence officers, then as Judge Advocate General in the U.S. army prior to joining the Blagojevich administration. Judge Zagel ordered him to spend ten days in prison while his former boss Blagojevich is serving a 14-year-long stay-cation at the Englewood facility in Colorado. John Harris definitely hit the jackpot!
Pay for Play or Why Politicans in Illinois Don’t Learn
Next! — Cook County Commissioner William Beavers charged with Tax Fraud and Derrick Smith charged with Accepting Bribes.
At 12 years old, I was taught in school, “You study history to learn from it and to avoid mistakes that were made in the past.” Hm, it seems many Illinois politicians did not receive that message (HELLO!) – even though Federal Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is pretty clear and consistent with the precedence and tone he sets.
Hence, at least indirectly, Illinois politicians should have noticed that players left the field and went to prison aka “the nice place” as Blagojevich referred to it recently. Imagine a basketball game and a couple of players disappear – wouldn’t you notice and stop playing?
With the conviction of Dan Rostenkowski and former governor Ryan it became pretty event that “pay for play” as we knew it was O-V-E-R in Illinois.
Yet, amidst the Blagojevich trial, sentencing, and “see me off to prison” saga, William Beavers, a senior Chicago politician is charged with tax fraud. His defense attorney Sam Adam Jr. — yes you remember the name he was initially defending team Blagojevich –, says that Beavers is “out here telling the truth and he will be vindicated,” CBS Chicago reports. Hm, did we not hear that before… More interesting so, Beavers refers to Federal Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald as “a wild man on the run.” Well, it remains to wonder who is on the run: Illinois politicians or Patrick Fitzgerald who is here to stay! Beavers also stated that Fitzpatrick is responsible for the death of 3 men as his “Gestapo methods” would force people “to tell on their friends.”
Hm, people asked to “tell on their friends” are harassed into suicide? Or is it that the pressure is on when a) they realize the power play is over or b) they become fearful of the consequences (for themselves and their families) when their “friends” find out they told on them. A bit like in the godfather if you tell on me, “I make you an offer you can’t refuse…”
Then last week the Democratic State Rep. Derrick Smith from Chicago was arrested because he sought after “campaign donations between US 5,000 and US 7,000.” In return he offered “to accommodate reasonable requests from donors.” Hm, sounds a bit like prostitution, doesn’t it? You give me the money and I will do you “a favor.” And, finally, somebody made Smith an offer that he could not refuse… The offer was extended by an informant who knew Smith and worked with the FBI. The informant offered US 7,000 as a contribution of a child daycare. The owner’s wish was to obtain Smith’s support for a grant.
Smith gladly prepared the letter and collected the US 7,000 in cash.The rest is history. Or wait…not really…
With primaries in Illinois on Tuesday there is a problem: Does the 10th district nominate a man charged with accepting a bribe and a possible ten year prison sentence or his opponent Tom Swiss a Republican turned Democrat who is less than popular in the ethnically-mixed district!
Obviously, the pay for play rules have changed! May I suggest, let’s study some history, everybody tame your ego, listen, and learn!
John Harris Sentencing Postponed
Blagojevich’s former chief of staff John Harris was supposed to be sentenced on Friday, March 16, 2012 for corruption charges. Harris testified twice against the former governor and pleaded guilty to wire fraud aka “guilty in connection with Blagojevich’s bid to sell a U.S. Senate seat.”
U.S. District Judge Zagel delayed the sentencing. Per BND, the new date is set for March 20, 2012. Other sources report Judge Zagel did not yet set a date for sentencing. Harris is expected to serve a mild sentence (compared to his former boss) and he and his attorneys hope for probation. Compared to Blagojevich, Harris is a quiet man who has not sought the limelight. He resigned immediately after his arrest in December 2008. Harris had a successful career, first serving as intelligence officers, then as Judge Advocate General in the U.S. army.
In 1996, he joined former Mayor Daley’s administration. Harris is accomplished and well known for his successful launch of the O’Hare International Airport upgrade. Seemingly, a man of integrity, he joined the Blagojevich administration in 2005. Was he at the wrong place at the wrong time or really assigned to do Blagojevich’s dirty work aka “Pay to Play.”
As a former intelligence officer Harris knows how to keep a low profile. What remains to wonder is how and why he picked his running made (Blagojevich) – who based on his personality characteristics is anything but quite and discrete …
He now earns a living as “an apprentice on high power lines” …
It remains to wonder if Judge Zagel postponed the trial date to set Harris’s sentencing apart from the Blagojevich incarceration event that held the press’s attention for the better part of this week.
Blagojevich: Prison is a nice place ….
This could be taken out of context and simply interpreted as one of Blagojevich’s attempts to remain in the limelight while playing mind games with himself (convincing himself he is elsewhere rather than incarcerated!). I was never one to go lightly on the former governor but it strikes me as the words of a man who attempts to soothe his wife and family’s emotional upset. Plus, definitely he likes to make the news – it’s his nature and he consistently showed us who he was and is.
Yet, let me assure you neither jail nor prison are nice places – not for Rod Blagojevich, a man who is used to more than a Bologna sandwich and a bag of chips! It always made me sad when I heard an inmate say, “I like to come back here – it’s a stable and safe place. It’s the best meal I ever had. I heard that several times mainly from revolving door inmates who were homeless, stricken by mental illness and without family support. It was the very best they ever knew. Rod Blagojevich’s story reads differently. But give him a bit of credit, he tries to make this easier for his family and to keep us informed.
And remember, this is certainly not the last word we will here “from the nice place.”
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