http://capitolfaxcom.disqus.com/NoneenFri, 31 Oct 2008 11:06:23 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185571<p>Bookworm,<br>My dad got called for a fed grand jury a couple of years ago in Benton. 1 tuesday a month for 12 months.</p>618erFri, 31 Oct 2008 11:06:23 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185570<p>W-slinger: this is an opportunity of a lifetime. You see Cellini and Kjellander just over played thier hand by just a little. If instead of doubling down on Blago if they had just stopped with Ryan they would have gotten out clean (save for a little tarnish on their reputations but who can't spare that) now they are looking at the big house and i mean for a long time. Same goes for Hurtgen. When your named in on Governor's indictment you don't go looking for angles to play in the next administration.</p><p>Still, a 20 year run in the combine, as long as you know when to pull the rip cord, can be long satisfying siphon on the taxpayer.</p><p>Look at Fox he's played it perfectly.</p>GofGlenviewFri, 31 Oct 2008 11:05:47 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185569<p>Steve Schnorf, the last I knew, conspiracy was against the law. It doesn't make any difference what you are conspiring about. Your comment tells me you have been in politics WAY too long. Perhaps it's time for you to be measured for your tinfoil hat because by wearing one, it allows us to see things more clearly - but only if you remove the rose-colored glasses.</p>Little EgyptFri, 31 Oct 2008 10:39:26 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185568<p>Don't get me wrong. I respect Patrick Fitzgerald and his "Untouchables" but we all know where this Cellini thing is going. The newspaper headlines and federal prosecutors will say that he could face up to a zillion years in federal prison but the reality is that this won't ever happen. He will go before a federal judge who will slap his hand and give him a minimal sentence of 6 months to 3 years at a federal white collar minimum security prison with a college dormitory setting. He will be out before the black kid who went to prison because he stole a purse with $12 and some loose change in it.<br> Reality bites but that is how it works. Never steal or commit fraud over a couple thousand dollars. Do it for millions of dollars so it pays for you to go sit in jail and watch television during your minimal sentence. I personally know a guy (my ex-boss) who only did 3 years for fraud although in excess of $70 million dollars vanished. Illinois taxpayers got to pick up most of the tab. He had told me before he got caught that crime does pay. His girl friend (corporate secretary) also did less than 3 years. They were both already out of jail and living happily ever after before the civil litigants had even made their way through the court system. Crime pays and pays nicely.</p>BeowulfFri, 31 Oct 2008 05:50:02 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185567<p>Any time you anonymous folks or "links" (probably those tiny little breakfast weenies) want to debate the facts of any of these matters, feel free to stop by my office at TRS.</p><p>I can't make any sustantive comments about what transpired today, or what I read in goofy blog posts, but two things need to be said right now.</p><p>Anon. 7:09, you have the wrong Co-Schemer A. Read the document again and you may figure it out.</p><p>Links, Keep my dad out of your cheap shots. Jerk.</p>Jon BaumanFri, 31 Oct 2008 02:46:57 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185566<p>Also bear in mind that there will be a new U.S. Attorney General in DC, who would have to give Fitz the OK to proceed with any prosecution. If there is a delay in confirming a new Attorney General (remember Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood?) that will delay the process.</p>BookwormFri, 31 Oct 2008 00:43:42 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185565<p>Smitty: Not to take the words out of Rich's mouth, but even if Obama or McCain keep Fitz, he would still be expected to resign at the end of Bush's term (as all US Attys do) and would have to wait for his reappointment to come through, which would take some time, probably several months at least.</p>BookwormFri, 31 Oct 2008 00:35:26 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185564<p>What about all the influence Bill Cellini used at the Illinois Tollway,<br>for the I-355 expansion. <br>+Jack Hartman<br>+Bill Cellini<br>+Brian McPartlin<br>+Jeff Dailey<br>= $$$$$$$$$$$$ for Rod Blagojevich.</p>Smiling FacesFri, 31 Oct 2008 00:19:33 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185563<p>"Based on the experience of a relative who once sat on a county-level grand jury, I believe they usually last about six months and meet at least once a week. Do federal grand juries have different rules?"</p><p>Federal grand jury is an 18 months term, 1 day per week (9:30 to 4:30; 1 hour for lunch), can be extended beyond the 18 month term. Extensions only occur upon agreement by a majority of the grand jury members, and the grand jury has a clear-cut picture of the cases they will be handling in the extension period.</p><p>Pay sucks. Pay mileage, no parking furnished or paid for. However, the second floor cafeteria (for breakfast) is really pretty good. Lunch depends.</p>Judgment Day Is On The WayFri, 31 Oct 2008 00:02:34 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185562<p>Anon 7:09 - If you don't know what you are talking about, don't.</p><p>Link - Thanks for the 1970 character analysis. We should all be judged on our ethics as 14 year olds. You are a moron.</p>PMGThu, 30 Oct 2008 23:24:07 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185561<p>Rich - Fortunato said:</p><p>"Rich, I commend you for recognizing that Fitz will not long be US Atty in Chicago if Obama wins." What is that about? Both Obama and McCain are on tape with the Chicago Tribune editorial board saying they will keep Fitzgerald. Is there something afoot?</p>Smitty IrvingThu, 30 Oct 2008 23:12:32 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185560<p>- steve schnorf -<br>Maybe it has something to do with obstruction of justice? It may not be so much what was done as Why it was done.</p>A CitizenThu, 30 Oct 2008 22:34:12 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185559<p>Will there be a trickle down effect of subpeona's/indictments through out state agencies? Remember Rezko's list of appointee's. Many were strategically placed and recommended by Cellini. Combining agencies, such as the profitable ones: gaming/ lottery/horse racing, were not for budgetry reasons but for control.</p>anonThu, 30 Oct 2008 22:12:20 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185558<p>I am almost blinded by all the secret rays reflecting off the tinfoil hats on this site.</p><p>One question, though. What's wrong with "conspiring" to get rid of a USA? Don't political parties conspire every day to get rid of people? It may be unseemly, but why is it illegal?</p>steve schnorfThu, 30 Oct 2008 22:06:45 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185557<p>I knew Jon Bauman growing up in Champaign and Chris Kelly as well. Jon's father (Floyd) would not be a happy camper right now but from what I recall, Jon's ethics were sorely misplaced back when he was a young Teen at C-U Model...</p><p>And as for Chris, well that is a similar story but in a different vein...</p>LinkThu, 30 Oct 2008 22:03:17 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185556<p>If I were Patrick Fitzgerald, I would immediately go before a judge and ask Cellini to turn over his passport. His daughter lives out of the country and he is known to visit often. He is a HUGE flight risk. Is no one considering this?</p>Little EgyptThu, 30 Oct 2008 21:45:37 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185555<p>Looks like a Cellini trumps a Beard, newswise anyway.</p>Captain FlumeThu, 30 Oct 2008 21:28:26 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185554<p>==When the combine "void/Vacuum" is created by Fitzy, Glenview would like to nominate A. Andersen and Wordslinger to fill in for Cellini and Bob K, respectfully.==</p><p>Golfo, I think there's an insult in there, but for the life of me I can't figure why or what it might be. So for now, I'll deliver a conditional "Bite Me," that I reserve the right to withdraw or expand upon clarification.</p><p>If there are Combine openings, I'd like to interview soon as the holidays are upon us and you can always use the extra cash. And I mean cash only.</p>wordslingerThu, 30 Oct 2008 21:16:13 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185553<p>What does the last 3 sentences of the Trib article mean?</p>AnonThu, 30 Oct 2008 20:49:06 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185552<p>Thanks for the clarification on the grand jury date.</p><p>Based on the experience of a relative who once sat on a county-level grand jury, I believe they usually last about six months and meet at least once a week. Do federal grand juries have different rules?</p>BookwormThu, 30 Oct 2008 20:48:05 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185551<p>RE: Indicting the Governor, he can be indicted in office. On the other hand, getting it to court could be an issue.<br>Ex. Spitzer, NY, Fletcher, KY, Mecham, AZ, Taft, OH are examples that you can find with a simple Google search, though I admittedly don't have all the details.</p><p>One judge in KY ruled that the Governor could not be tried while in office. That would probably be contingent on the severity of the charges, but just try running after indictment while still in office. Could be a challenge, but be fun to watch for all of us sideliners. Maybe we will get to see that. :-)</p>Pot StirrerThu, 30 Oct 2008 20:43:53 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185550<p>Rich:<br>Could you have your next slave/intern do a report on Dan Webb's various defense quotes...I think he is recycling. Clients are entitled fresh material</p><p>And FYI<br>Most now believe some or all of that cash from the Oct '02 funded went right into the room addition/remodeling account</p>CelliniweenieThu, 30 Oct 2008 20:27:30 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185549<p>Daniel Webb? Are there only 3 atty's practicing in IL?</p>WumpusThu, 30 Oct 2008 20:25:21 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185548<p>My sense is that Public Official A = Blagojevich and that co-schemer A is Jon Bauman, the Executive Director of the Teachers Retirement System. Persons need to understand that Cellini has had a least a 20-25 year relationship with TRS. This was very clearly to control where the investments were made and ensure that Cellini and his friends were well taken care of.</p><p>Cellini was good friends with former TRS Director Bob Daniels, who was also former head of the Illinois Education Association (IEA). For years Daniels was on the TRS Board of directors and effectively ran the investment committee on behalf of Cellini and friends. At some point in the 1990's, Daniels resigned from the board and got himself appointed Executive Director of TRS. It was about this same time that Bauman was brought in, because Daniels owed a huge personal favor to Cellini involving some "family matters".</p><p>Daniels stayed at TRS about 5 or 6 years and resigned. At the time of his departure the FBI was at the agency to examine some behavior, but it is apparently unrelated to the current activities.</p><p>After Daniels departure, an "outsider" was brought in to be the Executive Director. He lasted 2 or 3 years and was later ousted, largely rumor had because he wouldn't play along with some of this non-sense that is going on now.</p><p>Bauman was later named Executive Director and has been in the position since.</p><p>This attitude of "you take care of me and I will take care of you" has been pervasive at TRS regarding Cellini, the investment committee throughout the Thompson, Edgar and Ryan administrations. What changed was that Blago and the boys decided to clearly quantify what level of campaign contributions were needed to continue playing the game and those that didn't pay the price were out of luck. It wasn't going to be enough anymore to just hold a fundraiser, you needed to payup. And obviously the appointment of Fitzgerald as US Attorney opened the door for review of these activities.</p><p>So who is the loser? Taxpayers and our public school teachers. Leadership at the IEA had to know about these schemes, especially considering Daniels was the former IEA leader. Nothing changed after he left, so IEA in my opinion turned a blind eye as they should have been watching out for their members pensions.</p>AnonymousThu, 30 Oct 2008 20:09:12 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/30/this-just-in-cellini-indicted/#comment-18185547<p>I think POA may use 'Political Puffery' as a defense. Then things will be right as rain.</p>Ima LurkerThu, 30 Oct 2008 20:05:37 -0000