Whistleblower in Blago Case: Corruption 'Never Ceased to Amaze Me'
Pamela Davis speaks out in her first television interview.
Jan. 9, 2008— -- When Pamela Davis agreed to wear an FBI wire in late 2003, she became a key part of the investigation that culminated in the arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich for allegedly trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.
The extent of Davis' role as a whistle-blower and FBI informant exceeded her expectations.
"I had my suspicions that it would go all the way up to the level of the governor," Davis told ABC News in her first television interview. "Though, I did not have personal knowledge that he was involved."
Watch "World News with Charles Gibson" TONIGHT at 6:30 p.m. ET to hear Person of the Week Pamela Davis, in her own words.
Davis' connection to the investigation began in 2003 when she was president and CEO of Edward Hospital in Naperville, Ill. While working to win approval from the state health planning board to expand her facilities, Davis says she received warnings that she would only gain approval if she used a specific, politically connected contractor and investment firm.
"I got a phone call from one of the 'bad guys' who told me that I should not be presenting my project," Davis said. "And I said, 'well thanks for the information' and basically got off the phone very rapidly and really kind of just ignored his call."
"I was outraged that something as important to me as health care, something that was required, such an important service would have to fall under this type of terrible delay and expense and really just corruption," Davis said.
Ignoring the "pay to play" demands, Davis selected a different contractor, and her initial proposal was subsequently denied.
"Immediately I felt that there was something very, very wrong. And it was right at that moment that I made the decision that I should call the FBI. I felt something was seriously amiss," she said.
Davis took her suspicions to the FBI, sparking a high-stakes operation led by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's office into the heart of Chicago's political corruption.
"Very rapidly it became very obvious to me that this corruption was fairly significant and deep and widespread," Davis said.
The agents asked the grandmother of six to wear a wire.
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