Blago Accidentally Reveals Allegations Against Obama

Screw-up reveals redacted info
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 23, 2010 9:54 AM CDT
Blago Accidentally Reveals Allegations Against Obama
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich accompanied by U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., left, speaks at a news conference Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003 in Chicago.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Rod Blagojevich's defense team asked the judge to subpoena Barack Obama yesterday with a motion that was supposed to be heavily redacted. But whoever redacted it did a lousy job; the blacked out text could be easily read just by copying and pasting it, as Capital Fax revealed. Here's what Blago's lawyers allege in the redacted portions:

  • Obama lied about his conversations with Tony Rezko. The lawyers say Obama turned down a fundraiser Rezko offered him in exchange for favorable legislative action. Obama has denied even having such a conversation.

  • Obama directly recommended Valerie Jarrett for his old Senate seat, and gave Blagojevich a list of four candidates he considered acceptable.
  • One of Obama's supporters offered to raise money for Blagojevich if he picked Jarrett.
  • Obama had a secret phone call with Blagojevich in December—though the document doesn't say what was discussed.
You can read the full redacted sections at NBC Chicago. (More Rod Blagojevich stories.)

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