IL Gov Blagojevich Arrested for Corruption

The Governor of Illinois, Rod BlagojevichRod Blagojevich, has been arrested on corruption charges based on attempts to try and personally benefit from the appointment of Barack ObamaBarack Obama's empty Senate seat.

The New York Times reports that Blagojevich tried to arrange for positions for his wife that would provide substantial salaries, gain promises for money and otherwise tried to "sell" the seat, apparently attempting to trade the appointment for the highest and most promising "bid".

The New York Times reports:

According to the statement from prosecutors, Mr. Blagojevich told an adviser last week that he might “get some (money) upfront, maybe” from one of the candidates hoping to replace Mr. Obama. That person was identified only as “Candidate 5.”

In an earlier recorded conversation, prosecutors say, Mr. Blagojevich said he was approached by an associate of “Candidate 5” with an offer of $500,000 in exchange for the Senate seat.

The authorities also say Mr. Blagojevich threatened to withhold state assistance from the Tribune Company, the publisher of the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, which filed for bankruptcy on Monday. According to the authorities, Mr. Blagojevich wanted members of the Tribune’s editorial board, who had criticized him, to be fired before he extended any state assistance.