Ex-deputy governor says Blagojevich hid in bathroom, left office early to avoid staff meetings
By Mike Robinson, APThursday, July 8, 2010
Aide: Blagojevich hid in bathroom to avoid staff
CHICAGO — Rod Blagojevich hid in the bathroom, ducked into a back room and left the office early to avoid discussing complex issues with his budget director, his former deputy said Thursday at the ousted governor’s corruption trial.
Former Deputy Governor Robert Greenlee portrayed Blagojevich as disengaged from daily affairs of state government, saying the governor spent on average two to eight hours a week in his office. He said that during working hours, the governor generally was at home or attending high-profile events.
Greenlee said he would confer with Blagojevich by telephone when they discussed issues and policy matters, but that he once had to go to dinner with the governor and his family at a bowling alley to get Blagojevich to focus on legislation that had to be addressed immediately.
Former budget director John Filan, Greenlee testified, had to chase after the governor to get him to discuss important items.
“He would hide in the bathroom, hide in the back room or leave early,” Greenlee said, adding that Blagojevich went to great lengths to avoid staffers whom he felt disagreed with him too often.
Greenlee also said Blagojevich wasn’t initially invited to Barack Obama’s victory rally the night of the 2008 presidential election, but his staff managed to get him credentials — on the condition that he not actually attend.
The Obama campaign, Greenlee said, “had concerns about being seen with him.” Greenlee said the credentials were finally approved after Blagojevich’s staff promised he wouldn’t show up. Greenlee said that was to avoid bad publicity for being snubbed.
Meanwhile, according to earlier testimony, Blagojevich was trying to get a Cabinet post in the new administration.
Blagojevich, 53, has pleaded not guilty to trying to get a high-paying job or big campaign contribution in return for the appointment to the Senate seat. He has also pleaded not guilty to taking part in a racketeering scheme using the powers of the governor’s office.
Robert Blagojevich, 54, has pleaded not guilty to taking part in any scheme involving the Senate seat and to scheming to pressure businessmen for campaign funds.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar said after Judge James Zagel sent the jury home for the weekend that the trial is moving forward faster than expected and there is a good chance the prosecution will rest its case Tuesday. Zagel said if the government does so Blagojevich’s defense will probably be expected to start its case on Wednesday or Thursday.
The former governor appeared unfazed early Thursday. He stepped off an elevator beaming, and approached spectators waiting to get into the courtroom. Raising both arms over his head, he said loudly, “I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again — innocent of all charges.” Some spectators laughed, others shook their heads.
As he headed back to court after the lunch break, though, a spectator asked if it was hard to sit and listen to the hours of recordings. He nodded and said, “Yes, it’s painful.” He also repeated what he has said before that his comments on the tapes are being taken out of context.
On a tape made in December 2008, Blagojevich is heard saying that naming U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to the Senate seat would yield “tangible political support.”
“Specific amounts and everything,” Blagojevich said on the tape. He adds: “There is some of it up front.”
Jackson has been accused of no wrongdoing in the case. But prosecutors say there is evidence that his political supporters spoke about raising a large sum for Blagojevich if he would name the congressman to the Senate.
In a phone call with Greenlee taped on Election Day 2008, Blagojevich expresses bitterness, saying he has done a lot for the people of Illinois and gotten little back. He cites poll numbers that show his support at all-time lows, and directs his ire at his constituents.
“Only 13 percent of you all think I’m doing a good job,” he said on tape, sounding increasingly angry. Then he denounces the public as a whole. “(Expletive) all of you,” he yells into the phone.
