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USA v. Blagojevich et al

  1. October 19, 2011

    Defense Cries Mistrial In Blagojevich Extortion Case

    A lawyer defending longtime lobbyist and real estate investment manager William Cellini against charges that he took part in an extortion plot to benefit former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich demanded a mistrial Wednesday after a federal judge barred him from questioning a government witness about prior testimony.

  2. October 17, 2011

    Witness Pressed About Past At Blagojevich Extortion Trial

    A lawyer defending political fundraiser William Cellini against charges that he participated in an extortion plot to benefit former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked a key government witness Monday to recount his own criminal history and substantial plea deal with prosecutors.

  3. October 13, 2011

    Blagojevich Lobbyist Agreed To Extortion Plot: Ex-Trustee

    An ex-pension fund trustee told a federal jury Thursday that longtime lobbyist William Cellini agreed to pass an extortion message to a Hollywood film producer aimed at shaking him down for a campaign contribution to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

  4. October 12, 2011

    Ex-Trustee Says Lobbyist Called Shots At Pension Fund

    A government witness testified Wednesday that businessman and longtime lobbyist William Cellini wielded major power over investment decisions and leadership appointments at the Illinois teachers pension fund — influence that prosecutors allege Cellini used in an attempt to extort a campaign contribution for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

  5. October 11, 2011

    Witness Says Blagojevich Fundraiser Struck Shady Deal

    An ex-lawyer for the Illinois teachers pension fund told jurors Tuesday that a fund trustee informed him in 2003 that political fundraiser William Cellini had helped strike a deal to use sham fees tied to fund investments to reward contributors to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign.

  6. October 06, 2011

    Lobbyist Never Knew Blagojevich Or Extorted For Him: Atty

    An attorney for longtime lobbyist and political fundraiser William Cellini worked Thursday to separate his client from the bold names and key events mentioned in the government's case alleging he helped extort a Hollywood producer to get campaign cash for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

  7. October 05, 2011

    Blagojevich Fundraiser Extorted Producer, Feds Say

    A longtime political fundraiser was a key player in the 2004 shakedown of a Hollywood producer's investment company, a federal prosecutor told jurors Wednesday in the final trial to come out of the corruption case that brought down former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

  8. September 02, 2011

    Blagojevich Makes Another Run For Corruption Retrial

    Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich again requested a new trial on Thursday, claiming prosecutors had picked jurors who were already itching to convict him for allegedly trying to sell President Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat.

  9. August 24, 2011

    Feds Ask Judge To Deny Blagojevich 3rd Trial

    Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's trial was fair and his conviction for corruption — including allegations that he tried to sell President Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat — should stand, prosecutors said Tuesday, rejecting the disgraced ex-governor's request for a new trial.

  10. July 26, 2011

    Blagojevich Seeks 3rd Trial After 17-Count Conviction

    Former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's attorneys told a federal judge Monday that their client needed another retrial following his convictions on corruption charges last month, alleging the most recent trial was riddled with errors and stacked in the government's favor.