Blagojevich On Trial: 'Give Us The F***ing Money'

June 18, 2010 — -- The backroom deal-making of Chicago politics and the President's relationship with a convicted Chicago political fundraiser were thrust back into the spotlight this week at the corruption trial of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.

"Blago" is on trial for allegedly conspiring with his brother Robert to squeeze kickbacks from state businesses and trade political favors for campaign contributions, including an attempt to sell President Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder.

"Everything was leveraged in terms of its benefits in terms of cash – jobs, contracts, appointments, bond deals, and legislation – all of that was bartered for campaign cash," said Andy Shaw, executive director of the Illinois Better Government Association, who said the trial offers a rare glimpse into the shady inner workings of Illinois state government.

The defense argues that the seat was not for sale, and that White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel had agreed to act as an intermediary between Blagojevich and a candidate for the seat. Blagojevich has tried to call President Obama, Emanuel and top Obama aide Valerie Jarrett as witnesses.

Federal prosecutors began to lay out the government's case with testimony from Chicago political players and charts detailing a complex web of financial transactions linking state business deals to a circle of Blagojevich insiders, including Tony Rezko, a top political fundraiser and an early patron of Obama's political career. They also played secret, profanity-laced audio recordings of Blagojevich's conversations with his advisors.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO BLAGOJEVICH ON TAPE

The trial, which began last week, is expected to last through the summer. Blagojevich faces 24 counts of racketeering, extortion and bribery.