Inherit The Windbag: Day 6, The Blago Tapes

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 11, 2010 2:40PM

It took a week but yesterday finally saw the playing of the first FBI wiretap tapes in the case against the Brothers Blagojevich as prosecutors continued to pepper former Blago pal Lon Monk with questions. In fact, it was all Monk, all day long, the former gov's old chief-of-staff being the only witness on the stand today. There were details of Blago's proposed wheeling and dealing for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by then-president-elect Barack Obama, including discussions to put Jesse Jackson, Jr. in the seat. There was talk of the code names the inner circle used. The conversation also turned to Blago's family. First, Patti Blagojevich and her connections to Tony Rezko, including a job that was given to Patti so that she could earn more money for the family, was brought up (and Patti had to leave the courtroom since she's a defense witness). And co-defendant/brother Rob Blagojevich was brought up in terms of his role as campaign fundraiser for the ex-gov. Monk also discussed the alleged shakedowns of road builders as Blagojevich wanted to use the announcement of highway funds to "incentivize" donations. Now we wait as jurors were dismissed until Monday when Monk's testimony, including cross-examination, will resume.