Obama's Chief of Staff Is Subpoenaed as a Defense Witness in Blagojevich Corruption Trial
The chief of staff for President Barack Obama has been subpoenaed as a defense witness in the upcoming political corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich, the impeached ex-governor of Illinois.
Rahm Emanuel is a “critical” witness for Blagojevich in the federal case to be tried in Chicago starting tomorrow, says defense attorney Shelly Sorosky, because “he’s the supposed victim of an extortion,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Blago Blog and Lynn Sweet blog.
One charge in the case accuses Blagojevich of attempting to extort then-Congressman Emanuel. The former Democratic governor has publicly proclaimed his innocence and said he will use prosecution tapes to prove it.
The White House confirms that Emanuel and White House adviser, Valerie Jarrett, an attorney, were subpoenaed as witnesses.
Also previously subpoenaed as defense witnesses were Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. However, all of these Democratic lawmakers may not be actually called to testify at trial, Sorosky says.
Bloomberg and Reuters articles recap the action in the case against Blagojevich to date. The trial is scheduled to open Thursday.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Judge Nixes Former Ill. Gov’s Motion to Subpoena President Obama”
ABAJournal.com: “Blago Lawyer: ‘He’s a Celebrity Idiot’; Judge: Juror IDs Secret Until After Trial”
ABAJournal.com: “Blagojevich Defense Team Brings Color and Charisma to Court”
Updated at 6:30 p.m. to include Bloomberg and Lynn Sweet coverage.
