Hey, Chicago Tribune: Why are you helping Rod Blagojevich blackmail the Feds?

Ernie Souchak, Editor-in-Chief

A proven reliable source reports that Rod Blagojevich is attempting to blackmail his way out of prison.

And, there are indications that the feds are in the process of capitulating to Blago’s demands, aided by the collaborative assistance of the ChicagoTribune, in what amounts to a cover-up of a crime.

(Read this email thread from bottom to top)

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-----Original Message-----

From: <redacted>

To: Len Goodman

Sent: 2013-05-24 17:24:37 +0000

Subject: Is it a real appeal?

Mr. Len Goodman

It has come to my attention, that there is a strong possibility your client Rod Blagojevich is blackmailing former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and the federal government.

Are you familiar with the interview Rod Blagojevich did with Brian Ross?

(Sender redacted here and below when not otherwise indicated)

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: <redacted>

To: "Kimberly Nerheim" <Kimberly.Nerheim@usdoj.gov>

Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 1:08:10 PM

Subject: Fwd: Brian Ross 8-26-2010 Blago threatens

Kimberly

Please contact me about these very important matters.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

----- Forwarded Message -----

From:<redacted>

To: "Randall Samborn" <Randall.Samborn@usdoj.gov>

Sent: Saturday, March 12, 2011 1:00:28 PM

Subject: Fwd: Brian Ross 8-26-2010 Blago threatens

Randall Samborn

Looks like Rod Blagojevich's decision to go the route of extortion might be working for him? . In plain site on ABC.

Do you think if he does not get the deal he wants Rod Blagojevich will tell the public the information Patrick Fitzgerald supposedly wanted the morning he arrested Blago.

More important does Patrick Fitzgerald want information about corruption at the level that Blago speaks of in this interview.

Blago say's some very telling things in this interview with Brian Ross that will help expose the truth. Simple questions, who told John Chase that the feds had a wire on Blagojevich and that John Wyma was cooperating with U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.

Who,what,why,when and where was the decision made to warn Blago ?

Why is no one asking ? That last question was rhetorical, I know why no one is asking.

Randall, lets not forget our discussions about these matters. Maybe this is one of those times that calls for a Special Counsel to be appointed.

Trial or not, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered starting with the ones John Chase has never answered.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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----- Forwarded Message -----

From: <redacted>

To: <redacted>

Sent: Monday, March 7, 2011 9:54:37 AM

Subject: Brian Ross 8-26-2010 Blago

Pertinent memory refresher.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/video/rod-blagojevich-reveals-jail-activity-11493201 

Pop quiz:

Question. Why did the feds give the Blago wiretap tapes and transcripts to the Chicago Tribune and only the Tribune?

Answer. So the Tribune could lie and tell the public that there is nothing on the tapes that Rod Blagojevich could use to blackmail the Feds.

Question. Why are the Chicago Tribune and their reporters John Chase and Jeff Coen refusing to report what is on the tapes and transcripts?

Answer. They are part of the criminal cover-up dubbed "Chicagogate"

Question. Why are the Blagojevich brothers reevaluating whether or not the public should hear the tapes or read the transcripts that they and their attorneys would not shut-up about in the past?

(Read this email thread from bottom to top)

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-----Original Message-----

From: Robert Blagojevich

To: <redacted>

Sent: 2013-05-09 19:10:09 +0000

Subject: Re: Inquiry (your statement)

<Name redacted>

Understand this; everything I've either written to you or said is off the record.

Please respect my position.

Rob Blagojevich

Sent from my iPhone

------------------------

On May 9, 2013, at 1:33 PM, <redacted> wrote:

Robert

If you cannot go on the record stating that it is unacceptable for the Feds to give Tribune reporters and only Trib reporters John Chase and Jeff Coen copies of sealed tapes and transcripts, tapes and transcripts that yourself and Rod were not allowed to keep.

You are making a statement.

Are you sure this is the statement you want to make?

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: <redacted>

To: Robert Blagojevich

Sent:Thu May 9 02:55:54 UTC 2013

Subject: Fwd: Inquiry

Robert

How does Rod's appeal have anything to do with whether you believe the tapes should be made available to others in the Media?

The Feds gave access to the tapes to the Chicago Tribune, and only the Trib.

And, according to John Chase and Jeff Coen, the Tribune can grant Rod and yourself your wish, and publish the transcripts.

All I am asking is: Do you still believe that all the wiretap tapes should be played?

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Robert Blagojevich

To: <redacted>

Sent:Thu May 9 02:38:16 UTC 2013

Subject: Re: Inquiry

To clarify and be specific, I don't want to say anything publically until my brother's appeal has been heard.

At that point I will reevaluate.

Sorry about the confusion of my previous email. Rereading it, it confused me as well.

Robert

------------------------

On May 9, 2013, at 9:22 AM, <redacted> wrote:

Robert

I do not understand. You and Rod have repeatedly expressed your desire for the public to hear all the wiretap tape recordings.

Help me understand.

Do you still believe the wiretap tapes should be played for the public?

What has changed?

----- Original Message -----

From: Robert Blagojevich

To: <redacted>

Sent:Thu May 9 11:40:36 UTC 2013

Subject: Re: Inquiry

(Name redacted)

At this point what I believe Chase and Coen should do has to remain with me until Rod's appeal is completed.

I hope you can understand my position.

Robert

---------------------

On May 8, 2013, at 2:51 PM, <redacted> wrote:

Robert

Do you believe Tribune reporters John Chase and Jeff Coen should publish the wiretap transcripts they received from the Feds that were never made public?

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-----Original Message-----

From: <redacted>

To: Robert Blagojevich

Sent: 2013-05-07 15:03:50 +0000

Subject: Tapes and Transcripts

Robert

John Chase and Jeff Coen had this to say "no legal ban on us publishing" when asked about the wiretap tapes and transcripts that were never made public.

Tapes and transcripts that they received from the Feds.

Don't you think it's time for people to publicly insist that they do publish them?

Perhaps, if you ask.

 

Conclusion: If the Feds keep their word and release Blago from jail, the Blagojevich brothers will never reveal what’s on the wiretap tapes that the feds don’t want you to know.

Here's a question: Should you trust the Tribune Company?

Particularly now that it’s becoming clear that it works for the federal government.

Answer. I think not!