Prosecutors pass over former governor’s wife
By Associated Press Writer TAMMY WEBBER (The Associated Press)
CHICAGO – Former Illinois first lady Patti Blagojevich was famously labeled a “potty mouth” after the FBI said it recorded expletive-laden rants against critics of her husband.
Now she plays a prominent role in the government’s indictment of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, including claims that she was paid handsomely as a real-estate consultant for little or no work, and that her husband ordered state business yanked from firms that failed to get her a high-paying job.
Yet Patti Blagojevich herself was not charged.
Defense attorneys and former prosecutors say the reason likely is simple: She’s not a public official and there might be no evidence that she orchestrated any of the alleged wrongdoing.
“She clearly, according to the indictment, was a beneficiary, but it doesn’t appear she was the initiator,” said Joel Levin, a former assistant U.S. attorney who helped prosecute the corruption case that sent former Gov. George Ryan to prison.
And because she’s not held to the same standard as a public official, charging her “might have been perceived as overkill,” he said.
On Thursday, prosecutors issued a 19-count indictment accusing Rod Blagojevich, 52, and five members of his inner circle with using the governor’s power over appointments, state contracts and legislation to squeeze kickbacks and campaign contributions from businesses and even other public officials.
