How Many Bodyguards Does It Take to Protect Blago's Hair in Boston? Twelve
By Sam Bakken in News on Nov 24, 2004 3:31AM
On Monday the Illinois State Police confirmed that they were investigating a number of allegations of negligence and misconduct against the Governor's security detail made in an ABC7 report.
ABC7 launched the investigation during last summer's Democratic National Convention. (For the whole report, including other examples, go here.) They wondered why the Guvna's bodyguards needed to drive state SUVs to Boston when Massachusetts was already providing all state governors with state troopers and vehicles. The report says, "some DNC delegates described it as a security spectacle, with state policeman even acting as bellhops for the first family-carrying in luggage and a baby stroller."
Blago's press secretary originally told ABC7 that eight Blago guards and three vehicles would go to Boston.
However, after a FOIA request by ABC7:
After being presented with our facts, the governor's office admitted that there were actually twelve bodyguards:
-who rang up nearly $23,000 in hotel bills-more than twice the amount they first claimed;
-there were actually six cars driven to the DNC
-and some troopers did fly.
On Tuesday Blago responded:
Today Mr. Blagojevich struggled to answer questions about why his armed guards perform personal chores such as passing out Halloween candy, carrying his hairbrush, and toting his family's baby stroller...
The governor said the first lesson he learned about security when he took office is that one never discusses security. He also doesn't tell his security detail how to operate, just as the governor says he doesn't get on board an airplane and tell the pilot how to fly.
Except that the day Blago was sworn in he replaced most of the officers. That seems like you're telling them how to operate. We'll give him a brake on the stroller, but handing out Halloween candy? Couldn't Blago hire one of the city's working poor to do that? They could use a little extra money around the holidays.