Blagojevich Ethical Violations
Rod Blagojevich
Criminal and Ethics Violations
By Ora Major
Introduction
Rod Blagojevich (Blago) persuaded a path of unethical behavior and misconduct that caused national media attention and an indictment on multiple counts and seat as the Governor of Illinois. Blagojevich was involved in a large scheme to rob the people of Illinois of honest and transparent government. A federal grand jury handed down a 19-count indictment that included 16 felonious or felony counts that included racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making inaccurate, deceitful and fictitious statements to federal agents and the government. Among Blagojevich most notable or notorious actions, was his conspiracy to sell or auction off the attractive vacated senate seat of former senator Barack Obama, to the highest bidder. He presumed he could get away with it because of his flawed personal and profession ethical reasoning. He used his office in numerous matters/ways involving state appointments, business, legislative and pension fund investments all with the intent to hunt for or acquire benefits, advantages or achieve financial, monetary gain, campaign contributions, and employment for himself and others, in exchange for official actions, together with making an attempt to leverage his authority to appoint a U.S. Senator. He might have gotten away with it if not for his own selfish arrogance professional and unethical personal code of conduct, which in his flawed thinking had him above reproach in his role of Governor of Illinois. However, as he would soon find out, like his former predecessor, that the role of Governor in the State of Illinois should not be taken for granted, overlooked or misused. This can and does cause all those who would and all those who would choose to follow or neglect to do the right thing or follow basic ethical behavior while acting as a publicly elected official in the state of Illinois. By choosing
Criminal and Ethics Violations
By Ora Major
Introduction
Rod Blagojevich (Blago) persuaded a path of unethical behavior and misconduct that caused national media attention and an indictment on multiple counts and seat as the Governor of Illinois. Blagojevich was involved in a large scheme to rob the people of Illinois of honest and transparent government. A federal grand jury handed down a 19-count indictment that included 16 felonious or felony counts that included racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making inaccurate, deceitful and fictitious statements to federal agents and the government. Among Blagojevich most notable or notorious actions, was his conspiracy to sell or auction off the attractive vacated senate seat of former senator Barack Obama, to the highest bidder. He presumed he could get away with it because of his flawed personal and profession ethical reasoning. He used his office in numerous matters/ways involving state appointments, business, legislative and pension fund investments all with the intent to hunt for or acquire benefits, advantages or achieve financial, monetary gain, campaign contributions, and employment for himself and others, in exchange for official actions, together with making an attempt to leverage his authority to appoint a U.S. Senator. He might have gotten away with it if not for his own selfish arrogance professional and unethical personal code of conduct, which in his flawed thinking had him above reproach in his role of Governor of Illinois. However, as he would soon find out, like his former predecessor, that the role of Governor in the State of Illinois should not be taken for granted, overlooked or misused. This can and does cause all those who would and all those who would choose to follow or neglect to do the right thing or follow basic ethical behavior while acting as a publicly elected official in the state of Illinois. By choosing
References: Basic obligation of public service. ( 2011). Justia U.S. Law. Retrieved from http://law.justia.com/cfr/title05/5-3.0.10.10.9.1.50.1.html Bella, P Employee standards of conduct. (2013). U.S. Department of Government Ethics, Retrieved from http://www.oge.gov/Laws-and-Regulations/Employee-Standards-of-Conduct/Employee-Standards-of-Conduct/ Ethical Principles for Legislators Illinois Governmental Ethics Act. (2009). Illinois Secretary of State. Retrieved from http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/ipub26.pdf Malfeasance Statutes. (2013). U.S. Department of Government Ethics. http://www.oge.gov/Laws-and-Regulations/Statutes/Statutes/ U.S Wisenberg, S. (2013). How to avoid going to jail under 18 U.S.C. Section 1001 for lying to government agents. Findlaw. Retrieved from http://corporate.findlaw.com/litigation-disputes/how-to-avoid-going-to-jail-under-18-u-s-c-section-1001-for-lying.html