A
AALARD
Guest
Blago lawyers want Obama FBI interview
CHICAGO, (UPI) -- Lawyers for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich filed a motion Wednesday for reports on the FBI's interview of President Obama.
In court papers, the defense lawyers said testimony from Blagojevich's former chief of staff, John Harris, on discussions with presumed Obama emissaries opened the door. Harris testified this week at Blagojevich's corruption trial in federal court in Chicago.
Obama was interviewed by the FBI in December 2008 while he was president-elect and still a U.S. senator. The most notorious charge against the former governor is that he tried to sell Obama's Senate seat.
"Testimony elicited by the government from John Harris and wiretaps played in court raise the issue of President Obama's direct knowledge and communication with emissaries and others regarding the appointment to his senate seat," the defense team said. "The government has elicited testimony that directly contradicts its previous position. The government asked its cooperating witness, John Harris, questions referencing 'President Obama's preferences,' what President Obama knew, and what President Obama directed others to do and say, etc."
CHICAGO, (UPI) -- Lawyers for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich filed a motion Wednesday for reports on the FBI's interview of President Obama.
In court papers, the defense lawyers said testimony from Blagojevich's former chief of staff, John Harris, on discussions with presumed Obama emissaries opened the door. Harris testified this week at Blagojevich's corruption trial in federal court in Chicago.
Obama was interviewed by the FBI in December 2008 while he was president-elect and still a U.S. senator. The most notorious charge against the former governor is that he tried to sell Obama's Senate seat.
"Testimony elicited by the government from John Harris and wiretaps played in court raise the issue of President Obama's direct knowledge and communication with emissaries and others regarding the appointment to his senate seat," the defense team said. "The government has elicited testimony that directly contradicts its previous position. The government asked its cooperating witness, John Harris, questions referencing 'President Obama's preferences,' what President Obama knew, and what President Obama directed others to do and say, etc."
