Blago: The Indictment

Here is the 75-page indictment of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich filed yesterday in federal court.  Broadly speaking, the indictment charges that Blago and several co-conspirators engaged in a racketeering enterprise, committing myriad counts of mail and wire fraud, extortion, and bribery--plus lying to federal investigators about all the above.  Blago is charged with using the powers of his office in furtherance of these counts.  My favorite section is paragraphs 26 - 29, which charge Blago with attempting to extort $50 grand from Childrens' Memorial Hospital.  The hospital did not come through, and Blago is charged with having prevented an increase in Medicare reimbursement for pediatric care.  If jurors believe this one, Blago will have to join al-Qaeda to improve his image.