(Crankers) Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, has repeatedly referred to what he calls the “Obama files” and suggests they’re being hidden or covered up. They are documents and recordings related to his alleged efforts to leverage the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, as being subject to a cover-up by federal prosecutors and the Obama administration.
It seems like Obama isn’t the critic’s target that he used to be, mostly because he’s been out of office for years. But if these so-called OBAMA FILES end up being real, then it’s crazy to imagine what kind of information might be revealed.
According to court filings from 2011, Blagojevich’s defense team argued that federal prosecutors failed to disclose recordings of key conversations that might have supported his claim of seeking a legitimate appointment rather than selling the seat. The court record notes Blagojevich’s claim that one recording from December 8, 2008, the night before his arrest, was “missing” and should be admitted as part of his defense.
In those filings, Blagojevich accused the U.S. Attorney’s Office of constructing a “false narrative” and withholding tapes that could show he acted in good faith. He specifically alleged that discussions involving Obama administration intermediaries, including Rahm Emanuel (then-White House Chief of Staff), were omitted from the publicly presented evidence.
Despite those claims, court records and official statements indicate that prosecutors told the court the tapes in question had already been reviewed and ruled upon, and that no undisclosed recordings remained that could materially assist Blagojevich’s defense.
Either way, Blagojevich continues to state there is a hidden trove of evidence being suppressed, but the federal government maintains it has shared all relevant recordings and that the case against him proceeded with full access to available evidence.
What will Blagojevich do next? Watch the video below:
