Blagojevich stripped of access to classified federal security information

Gov. Blagojevich's access to classified federal security information was revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after he was charged last month with trying to sell a Senate seat to the highest bidder, officials confirmed Friday.

Every governor is given such a clearance by Homeland Security to receive briefings on sensitive security information from Homeland Security and other federal agencies such as the FBI, said Amy Kudwa, spokeswoman for Homeland Security.

» Click to enlarge image

Embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich no longer has access to classified federal security information after his privileges were revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
(AP file)

RELATED STORIES

Activists support Burris' appointment to US Senate Ill. House changes schedule to vote on impeachment Senate opposition fiercer than Burris thinks Sergeant at arms expects no trouble from Burris

"Being the subject of a criminal complaint, no matter who you are, is a disqualification," she said.

State Police Director Larry Trent and Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Andrew Velasquez — as well as other top state officials — have access to such federal security intelligence and could relay it to the governor, said Patti Thompson, spokeswoman for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

In the past, Blagojevich would get personal briefings on major situations such as the alleged 2006 plot to blow up Sears Tower and the alleged 2006 plot to blow up planes traveling from London to the United States, Thompson said.

“On the day-to-day things, his advisers are briefed,” she said. “I think things will operate without a hitch because the higher advisers have that clearance.”

But Jay E. Stewart, executive director of the Better Government Association, said Blagojevich is “flying in the dark when it comes to security.”

“If there is an issue in Illinois with a national security element, he will not be the first to know about it in the state,” Stewart said. “He is not in the loop. Aside from Illinois being embarrassed yet again on a national level [with Blagojevich’s arrest], our state operations are hampered and this is another example of that.”

Last year, Homeland Security officials reportedly revoked New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s clearance after it was revealed that he was a client of a prostitution ring under investigation by the federal government. Spitzer resigned and the lieutenant governor, David Patterson, took over March 17. Patterson reportedly was then cleared for federal security briefings.