Blagojevich denies wrongdoing in pension scandal
Via The Associated Press:
Gov. Rod Blagojevich denied any role in a scheme to shake down investment firms doing business with a state teachers pension fund, insisting Friday that he does not tolerate any unethical behavior.
"I have no involvement whatsoever in anything surrounding the alleged corruption at the teachers retirement system, and nobody close to me does either," Blagojevich said.
The Democratic governor faced some of the toughest questioning of his 2 1/2 years in office as he addressed accusations with the potential to become a major political and legal crisis.
Two people pleaded guilty Thursday to taking part in a scheme to demand consulting fees from investment firms wanting to do business with the pension fund. They said in their plea agreements that they were told the payments were used to reward campaign donors for the benefit of a "high-ranking public official."
The official was not identified, but individuals familiar with the plea agreements said it was Blagojevich. The individuals spoke only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich denied any role in a scheme to shake down investment firms doing business with a state teachers pension fund, insisting Friday that he does not tolerate any unethical behavior.
"I have no involvement whatsoever in anything surrounding the alleged corruption at the teachers retirement system, and nobody close to me does either," Blagojevich said.
The Democratic governor faced some of the toughest questioning of his 2 1/2 years in office as he addressed accusations with the potential to become a major political and legal crisis.
Two people pleaded guilty Thursday to taking part in a scheme to demand consulting fees from investment firms wanting to do business with the pension fund. They said in their plea agreements that they were told the payments were used to reward campaign donors for the benefit of a "high-ranking public official."
The official was not identified, but individuals familiar with the plea agreements said it was Blagojevich. The individuals spoke only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.
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