Ex-Illinois Gov. Blagojevich seeks to subpoena President Obama to testify at trial

Defense lawyers in the case of Rod Blagojevich moved today to issue a trial subpoena to the President of the United States, asking for his testimony at this June's trial.
They argue in a federal court filing that President Obama would act as a corroborating witness to former governor Blagojevich. "There are two conflicting stories and the defense has the right to admit evidence that contradicts the government's claims. Only President Obama can do this," defense lawyers wrote.
Last year, Blagojevich's lawyers asked for FBI reports of an interview with President Obama. The White House has declined comment.

There is no way the President is going to show up even if he is subpoenaed. But this does say he can do a videotaped deposition, and cites the fact that Clinton did a similar thing while President.

Experts have told the Sun-Times that while presidents are subject to be called to trial -- President Bill Clinton gave a videotaped deposition in a civil case -- the White House can cite everything from national security to schedule conflicts to avoid the witness chair.

blogs.suntimes.com...
Link to PDF Copy Of Legal Motion To Suponea
** A lot of the motion is blacked out, and makes mention of some type of US Government conspiracy.

If he were to show up, anything relevant he is asked he would have to tell the truth about. Since this whole issue stems around Obama's Senate seat he vacated, most anything about filling it, or him vacating it could be asked....



[edit on 22-4-2010 by webpirate]

reply to post by webpirate


People like him are sadly buried next to Jimmy Hoffa. TPTB will not risk embarrassment of their obamanation.
Truly sad.
S&F

[edit on 22-4-2010 by Violater1]

Pay close attention to what Blago has to say over the coming weeks and months, as many of his statements will not be reported by the MSM.
Google may be your friend but if anything makes it to the web, you can expect the internet scrubbers to be on call.

At this point, Blago does not have much to lose and I am sure he is the type that will try to take down as many people as he can in exchange for a little bargaining.

The battle of the narcissists. Blago vs. Obama Refereed by Rahm Emmanuel. Tony Rezko - Cut man for Obama and Roland Burris - Cut Man for Blago.

This should be rather amusing. I almost forgot all about the trial given Blago's Celebrity Apprentice role.

Political Madness Indeed

Sorry for all of the edits: Here is a little more on the case

The motion filed Thursday says Obama was interviewed for two hours by prosecutors and FBI agents regarding the Blagojevich case, and the defense filed a motion asking for all transcripts, notes and reports from that interview. But the defense never received the documents, the motion said.

The motion also claims that prosecutors say Blagojevich met a labor union official whom he believed to be in contact with President Obama, and told the official he would appoint a certain candidate to the vacant Senate seat. In exchange, Blagojevich expected to be named secretary of Health and Human Services, the motion says prosecutors claim.

biggovernment.com...-110390
[edit on 22-4-2010 by jibeho]

[edit on 22-4-2010 by jibeho]

[edit on 22-4-2010 by jibeho]

[edit on 22-4-2010 by jibeho]

I was able to remove most of the blacked out text. It is a little crude but makes for some good bathroom reading.

9. Yet, despite President Obama stating that no representatives of his had any part of any deals, labor union president told the FBI and the United States Attorneys that he spoke to labor union official on November 3, 2008 who received a phone message from Obama that evening. After labor union official listened to the message labor union official told labor union president “I’m the one”. Labor union president took that to mean that labor union official was to be the one to deliver the message on behalf of Obama that Senate Candidate

10. Labor union official told the FBI and the United States Attorneys “Obama expressed his belief that [Senate Candidate B] would be a good Senator for the people of Illinois and would be a candidate who could win re-election. [Labor union official] advised Obama that [labor union official] would reach out to Governor Blagojevich and advocate for [Senate Candidate B].. . . [Labor union official] called [labor union president] and told [labor union president] that Obama was aware that [labor union official] would be reaching out to Blagojevich.” (Labor union official 302, February 3, 2009 p. 3). According to Senate Candidate B, on November, 4 2008, Senate Candidate B spoke with labor union official about the Senate seat. Labor union official said he spoke to Obama. Labor union official said he was going to meet with Blagojevich and said “he was going to push Blagojevich hard on this. According to Senate Candidate B, labor union official’s language could have been stronger than the language that she was reporting to the government.” (Senate Candidate B 302, D

12. On November 5, 2008, Blagojevich told John Harris that labor union official “talked to Barack Obama, wants to come and see me.” Blagojevich then told Harris that labor union official “was very explicit with me, “I talked to Barack about the Senate seat. Can I come and see ya? Can I do it tomorrow?’ I said, sure.” (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 261).ecember 19, 2008).

13. A supporter of Presidential Candidate Obama suggested that she talk to the wife of Governor Blagojevich about Senate Candidate B for Senator. (Valerie Jarrett 302, December 19, 2008). Supporter of Presidential Candidate Obama is mentioned in a phone call on November 3, 2008, having offered “fundraising” in exchange for Senate Candidate B for senator (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 149).

17. President-elect Obama also spoke to Governor Blagojevich on December 1, 2008 in Philadelphia. On Harris Cell Phone Call # 139, John Harris and Governor’s legal counsel discuss a conversation Blagojevich had with President-elect 5 “Fitzgerald Press Conference on Blagojevich. Transcript.” Chicago Sun Times, Lynn Sweet, December 9, 2008.
Case 1:08-cr-00888 Document 327 Filed 04/22/10 Page 3 of 11 4
Obama. The government claims a conspiracy existed from October 22, 2008
continuing through December 9, 2008.6 That conversation is relevant to the defense of the government’s theory of an ongoing conspiracy. Only Rod Blagojevich and President Obama can testify to the contents of that conversation. The defense is allowed to present evidence that corroborates the defendant’s testimony.7

18. President-elect Obama also suggested Senate Candidate A to Governor Blagojevich. John Harris told the FBI and the United States Attorneys that he spoke to President’s Chief of Staff on November 12, 2008. Harris took notes of the conversation and wrote that President’s Chief had previously worked as Blagojevich's press secretary. Obama agreed of Staff told Harris that Senate Candidate A was acceptable to Obama as a senate pick. (Harris handwritten notes, OOG1004463) President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI that “he could not say where but somewhere it was communicated to him that” Senate Candidate A was a suggested candidate viewed as one of the four “right” candidates “by the Obama transition team.” (Rahm Emanuel 302, p. 5, December 20, 2008). Harris told Blagojevich Obama’s

19. President-elect Obama was also involved in other senate candidate choices. On December 8, 2008, John Harris’ secretary’s call log noted President’s Chief of Staff called at 10:47 am and wrote “needs to talk to you asap” (Harris 302, February 20, 2009). President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI that he had a conversation discussing the Senate seat with Obama on December 7, 2008 in Obama’s car. President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI “Obama expressed concern about Senate Candidate D being appointed as Senator. [President’s Chief of Staff] suggested they might need an expanded list to possibly include names of African Americans that came out of the business world. [President’s Chief of Staff] thought he suggested Senate Candidate E who was the head of the Urban 22. However, the defense has a good faith belief that Mr. Rezko, President Obama’s former friend, fund-raiser, and neighbor told the FBI and the United States Attorneys
a different story about President Obama. In a recent in camera proceeding, the government tendered a three paragraph letter indicating that Rezko “has stated in interviews with the government that he engaged in election law violations by personally contributing a large sum of cash to the campaign of a public official who is not Rod Blagojevich. … Further, the public official denies being aware of cash contributions to his campaign by Rezko or others and denies having conversations with Rezko related to cash contributions. … Rezko has also stated in interviews with the government that he believed he transmitted a quid pro quo offer from a lobbyist to the public official, whereby the lobbyist would hold a fundraiser for the official in exchange for favorable official action, but that the public official rejected the offer. The public official denies any such conversation. In addition, Rezko has stated to the government that he and the public official had certain conversations about gaming legislation

reply to post by webpirate


Expect Blago to get off completely.

Sorry, if I was in the Jury, I would ask if anything has been redacted acted at all in the evidence. If anything was to protect politicians, not guilty.

Sorry, these asshats are going to cover each other's criminal acts. We can already see things are being redacted to protect Obama. I am amazed all the info has not been sealed for "his" protection already.

You cannot have a legitimate trial if all evidence is not released. And I mean all, any judge worth their salt would even allow a trial to go forward in this manner. Otherwise the decision would be turned over on appeal. UNLESS OF COURSE THE WHOLE OF THE GOVERNMENT IS IN ON IT.

reply to post by endisnighe


Match up the text in my last post to the subpoena pdf in the op. I was able to unveil the redacted portions by copying the text and pasting it into a new document.

Originally posted by jibeho
I was able to remove most of the blacked out text. It is a little crude but makes for some good bathroom reading.

LOL. You can remove ALL of the redacted information.

Are the document creators really THAT inept???

Here's the balance of the text from 22, 23 & redacted footnotes in their entirety...

22 However, the defense has a good faith belief that Mr. Rezko, President
Obama's former friend, fund-raiser, and neighbor told the FBI and the United
States Attorneys a different story about President Obama. In a recent in
camera proceeding, the government tendered a three paragraph letter indicating
that Rezko "has stated in interviews with the government that he engaged in
election law violations by personally contributing a large sum of cash to the
campaign of a public official who is not Rod Blagojevich. ... Further, the
public official denies being aware of cash contributions to his campaign by
Rezko or others and denies having conversations with Rezko related to cash
contributions. ... Rezko has also stated in interviews with the government
that he believed he transmitted a quid pro quo offer from a lobbyist to the
public official, whereby the lobbyist would hold a fundraiser for the official
in exchange for favorable official action, but that the public official
rejected the offer. The public official denies any such conversation. In
addition, Rezko has stated to the government that he and the public official
had certain conversations about gaming legislation and¹º administration, which
the public official denies having had."

23. President Obama is the only one who can testify as to the veracity of Mr. Rezko’s allegations above.

¹º The defense has a good faith belief that this public official is Barack
Obama. See, "Obama on Rezko deal: It was a mistake", Dave McKinney, Chris
Fusco, and Mark Brown, Chicago Sun Times, November 5, 2006. Senator Barack
Obama was asked: "Did Rezko or his companies ever solicit your support on any
matter involving state or federal government? Did Al Johnson, who was trying
to get a casino license along with Tony Rezko, or Rezko himself ever discuss
casino matters with you?" Senator Obama answered: "No, I have never been
asked to do anything to advance his business interest. In 1999, when I was a
State Senator, I opposed legislation to bring a casino to Rosemont and allow
casino gambling at docked riverboats which news reports said Al Johnson and
Tony Rezko were interested in being part of. I never discussed a casino
license with either of them. I was a vocal opponent of the legislation."
Obama's involvement with Tony Rezko and this legislation coincides with the
three paragraph summary the government has provided to the defense referenced
above.

Seems simple enough to remove the blackout/whiteout (PC).


[edit on 4·22·10 by DrMattMaddix]

reply to post by DrMattMaddix


Fun reading eh??

It just reinforces the fact that Obama associated with nefarious characters while in Chicagoland and that he still does now. He and Rahm must have one hell of a pact.

Nice job to both of you for getting the blackouts read. I would make sure you save all of those posts in case those words disappear again....I did.

Originally posted by DrMattMaddix

LOL. You can remove ALL of the redacted information.

Are the document creators really THAT inept???

Geez, you're right.

I can't believe they let this one slip. All you have to do is click and drag over the blackout areas to highlight then copy and paste.

Maybe it was intentional?

Redactions Revealed: The Six Secrets You Need to Know From the Obama Subpoena Request




Former governor Rod Blagojevich's defense team asked Thursday to issue a trial subpoena to the President of the United States of America.

The motion, intended to be heavily redacted, was improperly edited -- the full document was easily viewable if the text is copied and pasted to another document.

Below, the six revelations the redacted portions were meant to conceal.


1. Obama may have lied about conversations with convicted fraudster Tony Rezko



Blagojevich's lawyers allege that Rezko admitted breaking the law by contributing "a large sum of cash" to a public official. Blagojevich's attorneys say that public official is Obama. Obama said that Rezko never relayed a request from a lobbyist to hold a fundraiser in favor of favorable legislative action. But the point may be moot: regardless of Obama talking/not talking to Rezko, Blagojevich's attorneys say that Obama refused the request regardless.

Redacted portion: However, the defense has a good faith belief that Mr. Rezko, President Obama’s former friend, fund-raiser, and neighbor told the FBI and the United States Attorneys a different story about President Obama. In a recent in camera proceeding, the
government tendered a three paragraph letter indicating that Rezko “has stated in interviews with the government that he engaged in election law violations by personally contributing a large sum of cash to the campaign of a public official who is not Rod Blagojevich. … Further, the public official denies being aware of cash contributions to his campaign by Rezko or others and denies having
conversations with Rezko related to cash contributions. … Rezko has also stated in interviews with the government that he believed he transmitted a quid pro quo offer from a lobbyist to the public official, whereby the lobbyist would hold a fundraiser for the official in exchange for favorable official action, but that the public official rejected the offer. The public official denies any such conversation. In addition, Rezko has stated to the government that he and the public official had certain conversations about gaming legislation and
administration, which the public official denies having had.

Redacted footnote: The defense has a good faith belief that this public official is Barack Obama.

2. Obama may have overtly recommended Valerie Jarret for his Senate seat
Blagojevich's defense team basically alleges that Obama told a certain labor union official that he (Obama) would support Valerie Jarrett's candidacy for the Senate seat. Jarrett, referred to as "Senate Candidate B", is now a senior advisor to the president.

Redacted portion: Yet, despite President Obama stating that no representatives of his had any part of any deals, labor union president told the FBI and the United States Attorneys that he spoke to labor union official on November 3, 2008 who received a phone message from Obama that evening. After labor union official listened to the message labor union official told labor union president “I’m the one”. Labor union president took that to mean that labor union official was to be the one to deliver the message on behalf of Obama that Senate Candidate B was his pick. (Labor union president 302, February 2, 2009, p. 7).

Labor union official told the FBI and the United States Attorneys “Obama expressed his belief that [Senate Candidate B] would be a good Senator for the people of Illinois and would be a candidate who could win re-election. [Labor union official] advised Obama that [labor union official] would reach out to Governor Blagojevich and advocate for [Senate Candidate B].. . . [Labor union official] called [labor union president] and told [labor union president] that Obama was aware that [labor union official] would be reaching out to Blagojevich.” (Labor union official 302, February 3, 2009 p. 3).

3. A supporter of President Obama may have offered quid pro quo on a Jarrett senate appointment
Redacted portion: Supporter of Presidential Candidate Obama is mentioned in a phone call on November 3, 2008, having offered “fundraising” in exchange for Senate Candidate B for senator (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 149).

4. Obama maintained a list of good Senate candidates
Redacted portion: President-elect Obama also suggested Senate Candidate A to Governor Blagojevich. John Harris told the FBI and the United States Attorneys that he spoke to President’s Chief of Staff on November 12, 2008. Harris took notes of the conversation and wrote that President’s Chief had previously worked as Blagojevich's press secretary. Obama agreed of Staff told Harris that Senate Candidate A was acceptable to Obama as a senate pick. (Harris handwritten notes, OOG1004463) President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI that “he could not say where but somewhere it was communicated to him that” Senate Candidate A was a suggested candidate viewed as one of the four “right” candidates “by the Obama transition team.”

5. Rahm Emanuel allegedly floated Cheryl Jackson's name for the Senate seat
Redacted portion: President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI that he had a conversation discussing the Senate seat with Obama on December 7, 2008 in Obama’s car. President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI “Obama expressed concern about Senate Candidate D being appointed as Senator.

[President’s Chief of Staff] suggested they might need an expanded list to possibly include names of African Americans that came out of the business world. [President’s Chief of Staff] thought he suggested Senate Candidate E who was the head of the Urban League and with President’s Chief of Staff’s suggestion.

6. Obama had a secret phone call with Blagojevich
Redacted portion: President-elect Obama also spoke to Governor Blagojevich on December 1, 2008 in Philadelphia. On Harris Cell Phone Call # 139, John Harris and Governor’s legal counsel discuss a conversation Blagojevich had with President-elect Obama. The government claims a conspiracy existed from October 22, 2008 continuing through December 9, 2008.6 That conversation is relevant to the defense of the government’s theory of an ongoing conspiracy. Only Rod Blagojevich and President Obama can testify to the contents of that conversation. The defense is allowed to present evidence that corroborates the defendant’s testimony.
BY Ward Room Staff // 38 minutes ago



www.nbcchicago.com...
furious




Source: www.nbcchicago.com...

[edit on 053030p://bThursday2010 by Stormdancer777]

Guess all we have to do now is wait for obama to say under oath the fateful words:

It depends on what the meaning of is is ....

I can't help but laugh at the ineptitude of those who posted a scanned pdf image without cleaning it first.

Wikileaks might have called this 'decryption'

Chances are this is a little more important than the media will convey.....

Great work everyone! That's what I call 'digging for the truth.'

I would comment further, but I have the giggles.....

reply to post by Maxmars

Agreed.
Further, it's been almost 6 hours since I first posted this and another hour or 2 at least since this became public. I am very surprised that no one other than ATM members have discovered this flawed "encryption" and I use that word very loosely.
I still fully expect as soon as it becomes more public knowledge that we can read these sections they will be more securely blocked. And I just checked now...this PDF is still fully readable by copying and pasting it into something like notepad.
Save this now to your computers. I agree with MaxMars here...while it may not seem like much at the moment, they wouldn't have tried to block this out if there wasn't something in there they really don't want public.

my apologies to the OP, I missed this one in my search this morning prior to posting a new thread, which I will now close and redirect back here.

for posterity, there are a couple of additional links to articles, if interested

www.abovetopsecret.com...

once again my apologies webpirate