Panel poised to back Blagojevich impeachment vote
SPRINGFIELD — Enough evidence exists to warrant impeaching Gov. Blagojevich, a House panel has determined in a report released this morning.
The draft from the House Special Investigative Committee summarizes an array of abuses of power Blagojevich allegedly engaged in and urges the full House vote on an article of impeachment.
(AP)
“The citizens of this state must have confidence that their governor will faithfully serve the people and put their interests before his own,” the report stated. “It is with profound regret that the committee finds that our current governor has not done so.”
The draft does not include a formal article of impeachment laying out the charges against Blagojevich, which could be written separately. But it says there is cause to believe Blagojevich engaged in pay-to-play politics.
“The committee has heard a great deal of evidence relating to various instances where the governor’s inappropriate actions constitute abuse of power,” the report reads.
Blagojevich’s office had no immediate comment.
Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on federal charges that include allegations he schemed to profit from his power to name President-elect Barack Obama’s replacement in the Senate.
While the impeachment panel has reviewed prosecutors’ complaint, it also has reviewed allegations the second-term governor has improperly expanded state programs, spent tax money without authorization and circumvented hiring laws for political purposes.
Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoing.
The release comes on the same day that a federal judge in Chicago will determine if the impeachment committee will have access to secret government recordings of Blagojevich that were used as the basis for federal charges against the governor.
After that decision is made this afternoon, the committee expects to hear from Blagojevich’s controversial U.S. Senate appointee, Roland Burris, who is expected to be grilled on how he was chosen and on past contributions he, his lobbying firm and the firm’s clients have made to Blagojevich.
Once those two issues are resolved, there is a strong likelihood the impeachment committee will conclude its work and take the matter to the full House for a vote, possibly as early as Friday.
Blagojevich’s defense lawyer, Ed Genson, said there is no surprise in the report’s recommendation to impeach the governor.
“They came there to impeach him,” Genson said. “This whole procedure was a farce. They knew what they were going to do when they came in.”
Genson said he thinks the governor’s case can be won in the state Senate “if they follow the rules.”
“If they abandon every known rule of fairness as did the House, I’ll have a problem. But I expect them to be fair,” Genson said this morning.