Patti Walks: No Charges for Blago's Wife Despite Allegations

April 3, 2009— -- Federal prosecutors yesterday charged ex-Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich with several corruption-related felonies – but not his wife, Patti, even though they allege she participated in her husband's alleged corruption schemes.

In a December criminal complaint, as well as in yesterday's indictment, prosecutors led by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald allege Patti was aware of and involved in her husband's corrupt schemes – even allegedly profited from them.

Some who have followed the case closely believe Patti could still be charged.

"I would not say she's off the table," said Cindi Canary, of the Chicago-based watchdog Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. "I think the indictment gives pretty strong signals how very clearly her activities are described. . . . it's spelled out pretty baldly that she was a party to all of this."

Fitzgerald spokesman Randall Samborn declined Friday to discuss Patti's situation, saying "we just don't comment on people we have not charged."

A call to Patti Blagojevich's personal lawyer, Raymond Pijon, was not immediately returned.

As part of her husband's alleged corruption scheme, prosecutors say, the former Illinois first lady received tens of thousands of dollars from Illinois political operative Antoin "Tony" Rezko as part of a real estate deal in which she did little or no work. Rezko was convicted last year on over a dozen corruption charges related to influence-peddling involving the Blagojevich administration.

Prosecutors also have said they taped the former first lady intervening in her husband's business calls, which were part of his alleged corruption.