blago's lawyer quits

January 24, 2009

Milorad is getting himself deeper and deeper. He's not going to show up for the impeachment trial. He made that perfectly clear on Don Wade and Roma. His advice from Ed Genson was to stay quiet and it worked for as long as it took barry to get through the inauguration. No longer. Blago is out on his full court press blitz, which is fine for him, but not Ed Genson.

GENSON: I have been practicing law for 44 years. I never require a client to do what I say, but I do require them to at least listen to what I say. I believe in this case it would be better off, and I intend to withdraw as counsel in this case. And I wish the governor good luck and Godspeed.

Genson was retained for Blago's criminal proceedings not the impeachment trial. Sheldon Sorosky who was also working on the criminal case will continue. Blago's other lawyers Sams Adam (father and son) have called the impeachment trial a joke since they aren't able to mount any type of defense.

ADAM: The truth of the matter is, the way the rules are set up, we can't mount a defense. The people of Illinois are getting the shaft here because they won"t allow their elected officials to present a defense.

So nobody representing Milorad will be there Monday. Why would the lawyers spend time getting an L in their column? And why would blago miss the opportunity to be on Larry King?

blago's lawyer quits

January 16, 2009

Gov Blagojevich's high-powered lawyer, Ed Genson states he will not represent Blagojevich for his impeachment trial. Neither Sam Adam Jr & Sr who were also retained for his criminal case. Reasons given - Blago has no chance at a fair trial and Genson et al will not be able to present an adequate defense. Then there's the matter of money, discovery and inevitability. Why add a loss? Fitzgerald has limited much of the discovery because of the criminal investigation. Blago has yet to be charged with anything and Fitzgerald's theatrical arrest resulted in absolutely nothing but a fast impeachment, which the Illinois legislature wanted anyway. It was an assist that should be looked in to. And once Blago's impeached, Fitzgerald can take all the time he needs since blago is no longer in a position to do damage. It's all a joke.

And they drew in Mrs Blagojevich for what? If blago did what is alleged - it's criminal. But what they did to blago's wife and children for the sake of sensationalism was just as criminal. ill resign to keep any type of evidence private.Maybe he'll resign.

And what about barry's team? When was the last time you saw Emanuel and Jarrett in public with barry? Will Jesse Jackson Jr (or Sr) be visible on Inauguration day?

Madigan: taxpayers not going to pay for blagojevich defense

December 22, 2008

But we sure are for their case against him. Blagojevich is strapped for cash so he had his lawyer, Edward Genson (who defended R. Kelly) petition for taxpayer funded defense for blago in his criminal trial and possible impeachment. The logic being Lisa Madigan as Illinois' chief law enforcement officer, has a duty to represent the governor. But she can't exactly do so after she went to the IL Supreme Court to declare him unfit. So does she have an obligation to defend him? If so, then she cannot and therefore the state should pay for Blagojevich's defense. Evidently his $3.6M campaign funds are about to be frozen by Fitzgerald and he can't exactly go out and ask for more. And Rezko is sitting in solitary unable to raise or direct money to him. I suppose he could sell his house to the highest bidder.

So many interesting twists to this story and the election in general. I had no politics was like this or the media. How long have people put up with propaganda?

Chicago SunTimes DAVID MCKINNEY:

State law requires the attorney general "defend all actions and proceedings against any state officer, in his official capacity, in any of the courts of this state or the United States."

But [Anne] Spillane [Madigan's Chief of Staff ] noted that ongoing impeachment proceedings don't constitute an action in "court," as the law lays out. Nor is the House's inquiry related to Blagojevich in his "official capacity".

"A suit is against a state official in his official capacity when the state, not the individual, is the 'real party in interest.' That is not the case in impeachment proceedings".

That provision of the law, she said, "therefore cannot entitle the governor to legal representation at the State's expense in the proceedings before the House of Representatives.

GENSON: "As a sitting governor he is entitled to be represented by the attorney general. He happens to have an attorney general who files things against him, so that's not appropriate. We can't very well ask her to defend him for this. And if he has an obligation to be defended by her, I felt that they should pay -- they being the state of Illinois.

He said previous he took the case because "he takes cases that are fun". He clearly knew he wasn't going to get paid by the taxpayers or blagojevich...not that he needs it.

And the next twist?