U.S. Attorney’s Office claims author’s of Blagojevich book “Golden” lying

Ernie Souchak, Editor-in-Chief

Comments from the spokesperson at the U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) of the Northern District of Illinois take the position that Chicago Tribune reporters John Chase and Jeff Coen are lying about their special access to wiretap tapes and transcripts from the Blagojevich investigation - tapes and transcripts that were never made public.

The USAO refuses to comment on whether or not the Chicago Tribune was given advance notice of Blagojevich's arrest.

So, why are Chase and Coen making false claims about their access to the Blago files?

Not only is the USAO disputing Chase and Coen's depiction of their exclusive access to evidence, IP2P has received evidence that Chicago Review Press, the publisher of "Golden,"  was cautioned to be diligent in their pre-publishing fact-checking of the reporters' book.

All indications are that the publishing company did not thoroughly fact-check the book. We wonder: Why that didn't happen?

Unfortunately, Chicago Review Press spokesperson, Cynthia Sherry, was unavailable for comment

____________________________________________________________________________________

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

From: (Redacted)

To: csherry

Cc: jen

Sent: 2012-08-19 19:19:54 +0000

Subject:Fwd: Fact check "Golden: How Rod Blagojevich Talked Himself Out of the Governor's Office and Into Prison,"

Ms. Cynthia Sherry

As a person of considerable first hand knowledge concerning John Chase's and the Chicago Tribune's role in the investigation and trials of Rod Blagojevich and Tony Rezko. Knowledge including but not limited to John Chase's and the Tribune's cooperation with the U.S. Attorney and their intentional distortion of the facts in their newspaper. I extend to you my offer below.

(Name redacted)

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

From: (Redacted)

To: sbetz

Cc: daisybuchman, jen

Sent: 2012-08-15 16:10:36 +0000

Subject: Fact check "Golden: How Rod Blagojevich Talked Himself Out of the Governor's Office and Into Prison,"

Sue

My offer to fact check the Jeff Coen and John Chase book  "Golden: How Rod Blagojevich Talked Himself Out of the Governor's Office and Into Prison,"  still stands.  As we discussed, you do not want to put yourself in a position of publishing false information when verification from someone who has first hand knowledge is readily available to you.  If you get me an advanced copy of the book to review, it may save both Chicago Review press and IPG a great deal of embarrassment.

(Name redacted)

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

From: (Redacted)

To:sbetz,daisybuchman

Sent:Sun Apr 3 06:35:58 UTC 2011

Subject: Chicago Review Press clients John Chase and Jeff Coen

Sue

I will follow up with you on the discussion we had, and provide you with more details soon. I hope the inside information I provided helps you. If you have any question feel free to call me.
(Name redacted)

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

From: (Redacted)

To: "Jen Wisnowski"

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 2:58:03 PM

Subject: Fwd: Jeff Coen on Blago (Attention Jen Wisnowski )

Jen,

I think you might be missing the larger picture here, perhaps this email below will help you understand the gravity of the agreement John Chase and Jeff Coen have entered into with you and Independent Publishers Group.  While I do not know the particulars of your contract,  I feel confident it is that I can help you. I believe It will be very difficult if not impossible for Jeff Coen or John Chase to deliver a book based on the facts, due to legal reason's.  Jen, perhaps this should be of concern for IPG? Please advise
(Name redacted)

 

From: (Redacted)

To: Chase, John

Sent: Thu Dec 17 20:10:27 2009

Subject: The Chicago Tribune

John

do you have any comments

(Name redacted)

To whom it may concern John Thomas was a mole for the FBI in the case in Illinois against Tony Rezko and others.  The Chicago Tribune was aware of the fact and chose not to write a story about him at the behest of Patrick Fitzgerald (U.S Attorney Northern Dist IL). The Tribune eventually wrote a story about John Thomas, however the story they wrote was not accurate.  My source at the Chicago Tribune claims that when Patrick Fiztgerald asked the Chicago Tribune to sit on the Thomas story, claiming it could put his life in danger, the Chicago Tribune refused.  The Chicago Tribune told Mr Fitzgerald that they were going to run the story anyway.  It was only when Patrick Fitzgerald told the Chicago Tribune that if they ran the story that it would affect the Presidential election did the Chicago Tribune agree not to run the story.  My source at the Chicago Tribune confirmed this meant Obama. My source also informed me of other information that would be of interest to the people of Illinois that was not being reported in the Chicago Tribune.

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

From: "Jen Wisnowski"

To: (Redacted)

Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 1:00:00 PM

Subject: RE: Jeff Coen on Blago (Attention Jen Wisnowski )

Hi, (Name redacted), Thank you for your email. Sorry to have missed your phone call earlier today; unfortunately a few meetings have kept meaway from my desk today, but our customer service department let me know youcalled.  At this point, I'm afraid I can be oflittle help as we don't have any materials at this stage. But please feel freeto get in touch with Jeff Coen and John Chase directly about it.

Thanks again, Jen

Jen Wisnowski
Publicity Manager
Independent Publishers Group
814 N. Franklin St.
Chicago, IL 60610
312.337.0747 ext. 227
312.337.1807 faxwww.ipgbook.com

Expert distribution services for innovative publishers

 

From: (Redacted)

Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 1:01PM

To: Jen Wisnowski

Subject:Fwd: Jeff Coen on Blago(Attention Jen Wisnowski )

Jen,

As we discussed, not only would you like them to submit a book that is worth reading, it is important that it is accurate.That is where I can help you.

(Name redacted)

 

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

From: (Redacted)

To: "Jeff Coen" <JCoen@tribune.com>

Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 2:07:19 PM

Subject: Jeff Coen on Blago

Jeff,

How is the Blagojevich book that you are writing with John Chase coming? Have you figured out how you are going to get around the sticky problem below, and the problem the Tribune's involvement in the John Thomas scandal presents for you, as well as all the other obstacles we discussed? My offer to help still stands, please advise.

(Name Redacted)

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

From: (Redacted)

To: "John Chase" <jchase@tribune.com>

Cc: "Gerould Kern" <gkern@tribune.com>, "John Kass" <jskass@tribune.com>,"Eric Zorn" <ericzorn@gmail.com>

Sent: Saturday, March 26, 2011 7:02:15 PM

Subject: Our most recent conversation 3/25/11

John,

Recapping our conversation yesterday, I want to give you yet another opportunity to answer the following questions. (1)  Who informed you that the FBI was recording Rod Blagojevich, and when were you informed? (2)  Who informed you that John Wyma was cooperating with the U.S. Attorney's Office and when were you informed? John, you expressed in our conversation yesterday that you will not reveal your source involving the recordings and John Wyma's co-operation.  Furthermore, you informed me that I can speak to the Chicago Tribune attorney's about this issue, and that you already have spoken to them regarding this issue.  Your stated position is that this is a first amendment case, and I would have to take you to court. John, as we discussed yesterday a crime was committed by the person or persons that leaked this information that originated within the U.S.D.O.J., and was under seal. Ultimately, you will not have the protection of our 1st amendment in this case. Perhaps you should familiarize yourself with Patrick Fitzgerald's opinion on the subject as it related to one of your colleagues, Judith Miller (New York Times Reporter) If your position has not changed, please let me know the names and contact information of the attorney's that you consulted with at the Tribune, so that they may be contacted.

(Name Redacted)

cc Gerould Kern