TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Obama Details Blagojevich Ties

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: December 22, 2008

WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama will offer details early this week about his transition staff's contact with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is facing federal charges of plotting to swap the appointment of Obama's Senate successor for cash or a job.

One Democratic official said Sunday that an internal report Obama ordered would be released no later than Tuesday.

The official, who requested anonymity because the report is not yet public, said transition aides were eager to make public their findings about discussions with Blagojevich's office and move past the distraction the scandal has become.

The report is expected to disclose details about contacts with Rahm Emanuel, Obama's incoming chief of staff, who Blagojevich aides have said spoke regularly to the Democratic governor.

Obama has made few public remarks about the matter since Blagojevich's Dec. 9 arrest and the federal claims that the governor wanted something in return for awarding the Senate seat.

Aides say Obama, who is vacationing in Hawaii with his family, has no plans to make a public statement on his internal report, which he has withheld in deference to prosecutors who are interviewing witnesses in the Illinois public corruption case.

Emanuel has refused comment on his recent interaction with Blagojevich and his staff. Emanuel succeeded Blagojevich in the House in 2002, when Blagojevich became governor. Emanuel also served as an informal campaign adviser to the governor and shares a mutual friend with Blagojevich who has become a key player in the criminal investigation.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT