Illinois Governor Arrested

This really doesn't help to erase the age-old image of "Chicago politics." The sitting governor of Illinois, Governor Rod Blagojevich, was arrested today, on Tuesday, December 9, for corruption. There are reportedly over 75 pages of allegations in an affidavit of Blagojevich's wrongdoings. He was at least arrested for corruption charges, apparently the most grievous of which was an attempt to sell the Senate seat which will be forfeited by President-Elect Barack Obama, once he is sworn in as the next President of the United States.

Blagojevich, 51, was arrested on Tuesday, December 9. United States Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald spoke at a conference, and briefly explained what happened, and that the governor was caught on tape foully attempting to extricate payment for appointing a new representative to serve as the junior senator from Illinois. According to reports, in at least one instance, Blagojevich demanded payment for selecting a new senator, calling the position his and demanding to be given something in return for doing the job of a governor, when a senator leaves.

According to Fitzgerald, there was a political "corruption crime spree" and the governor's arrest was one way to try to stem the tide of overrunning corruption.

There has been nothing to connect Blagojevich's wrongdoings with any action on the part of Barack Obama.