Blago Atty Seeks To Subpoena Emanuel, Jarrett And Jackson
IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s (D) lead atty, Ed Genson, asked the IL House cmte investigating Blagojevich on 12/24 to subpoena WH CoS-designate/Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL 05), Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL 02) and Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Genson believes their testimony, based on the 12/23 Obama transition report that cleared his team of any improprieties, would bolster Blagojevich’s contention that he committed no wrongdoing regarding his attempts to appoint someone to Pres.-elect Obama’s former Senate seat.
It was unclear if the chair of the cmte, IL House Maj. Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D), would issue the subpoena.
U.S. Atty Patrick Fitzgerald is still considering handing over his office’s recordings of Blagojevich to the cmte. Fitzgerald extended a Christmas Eve deadline for deciding on that matter. “The move fueled speculation that Fitzgerald could be amenable to turning over what could be damning evidence of Blagojevich” that could be used for impeachment.
Meanwhile, details are beginning to emerge about Obama's meeting with federal investigators looking into Blagojevich's alleged attempt to sell an appointment to Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder.
New York Times' Baker reports Obama met with two asst. U.S. attys and two FBI agents on 12/18, accompanied by his personal atty, Robert Bauer, and WH counsel-designate Greg Craig. Craig later prepared the internal report released to the media 12/23 p.m. The interview lasted two hours; it was not recorded or conducted under oath, though it is illegal to lie to federal law enforcement agents.
According to the report, "Obama answered every question posed,” and his attys made no objections.
Jarrett, whom Obama initially supported for his seat, met with investigators on 12/19, and Emanuel was questioned a day later. Each was accompanied by an atty.
Baker also cites historical examples of presidents speaking with investigators. Every president since Watergate has been questioned, either as a witness or a subject. Ulysses S. Grant gave a deposition in the corruption trial of his secretary, with the chief justice of the SCOTUS presiding. James Monroe was questioned in the court martial of an appointee. And Thomas Jefferson offered testimony in the treason trial of ex-VP Aaron Burr, who was accused of plotting to create an independent nation out of much of the Louisiana Purchase. Burr would be acquitted, but the case was more notable for being the first invocation of executive privilege against the judicial branch.
(STEVEN SHEPARD)
