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Q&A: The Blagojevich scandal Q&A: The Blagojevich scandal
(5 days later)
Mr Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoingScandal-hit Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has appointed the state's former attorney-general, Roland Burris, to fill Barack Obama's senate seat - a seat that federal investigators allege Mr Blagojevich attempted to "sell".Mr Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoingScandal-hit Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has appointed the state's former attorney-general, Roland Burris, to fill Barack Obama's senate seat - a seat that federal investigators allege Mr Blagojevich attempted to "sell".
The new Senate is scheduled to meet for the first time on 6 January, but lawmakers have threatened to block Mr Blagojevich's appointment. The new Senate met for the first time on 6 January, but Mr Burris was denied entry to the chamber.
How could Mr Blagojevich's appointment be blocked?How could Mr Blagojevich's appointment be blocked?
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his senior Democratic colleagues have pledged to deny Senate membership to Mr Burris, or anyone else appointed by Mr Blagojevich. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his senior Democratic colleagues have pledged to block Mr Burris, or anyone else appointed by Mr Blagojevich.
They cite Article I, Section 5 of the US Constitution, which provides that "each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own members".They cite Article I, Section 5 of the US Constitution, which provides that "each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own members".
The provision has been used in the past to block the membership of prospective senators who had won disputed elections or who had been involved in corrupt activities.The provision has been used in the past to block the membership of prospective senators who had won disputed elections or who had been involved in corrupt activities.
Mr Reid could call a vote of his fellow senators to decide on Mr Burris's membership.Mr Reid could call a vote of his fellow senators to decide on Mr Burris's membership.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has also refused to certify Mr Blagojevich's appointment. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has also refused to certify Mr Blagojevich's appointment, which may be grounds for the Senate to deny Mr Burris's membership.
Is the Senate's attempt to block the appointment legal?Is the Senate's attempt to block the appointment legal?
In 1969, the supreme court blocked an attempt by the US House of Representatives to deny membership to Adam Clayton Powell Jr, who had been accused of financial wrongdoing.In 1969, the supreme court blocked an attempt by the US House of Representatives to deny membership to Adam Clayton Powell Jr, who had been accused of financial wrongdoing.
Some legal experts say that any attempt by the Senate to block the Blagojevich appointment could also be ruled unconstitutional, in light of the 1969 precedent.Some legal experts say that any attempt by the Senate to block the Blagojevich appointment could also be ruled unconstitutional, in light of the 1969 precedent.
Others say the 1969 ruling cannot prevent the Senate excluding Mr Burris.Others say the 1969 ruling cannot prevent the Senate excluding Mr Burris.
What about Secretary of State White's refusal to certify the appointment?What about Secretary of State White's refusal to certify the appointment?
His action is perfectly legal - but it may not prove particularly effective.His action is perfectly legal - but it may not prove particularly effective.
A spokesman for Mr White has told reporters: "We don't believe he has the authority to hold up the appointment or veto it."A spokesman for Mr White has told reporters: "We don't believe he has the authority to hold up the appointment or veto it."
Mr White's refusal to sign off on the appointment may be grounds for the Senate to block the appointment, however. Mr White's refusal to sign off on the appointment may be sufficient grounds for the Senate to block the appointment, however.
What is going to happen on 6 January? What happened on 6 January?
If Mr Burris attempts to take his seat, the Senate could vote to deny him membership. Mr Burris attempted to enter the Senate chamber, but was denied entry by Capitol officials, who said he was "not in possession of the necessary credentials", because his appointment had not been signed off by the Illinois Secretary of State.
If they do, Mr Burris could decide to challenge their decision in the courts - ultimately, the case could end up before the supreme court. What will Mr Burris do next?
He says he is considering filing a federal lawsuit to force the Senate to seat him.
Ultimately, the case could end up before the US Supreme Court.
What has Mr Blagojevich been accused of?What has Mr Blagojevich been accused of?
He was arrested on 9 December after a lengthy investigation by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.He was arrested on 9 December after a lengthy investigation by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.
He was charged with:
  • attempting to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions
  • attempting to use state funds for the private purpose of inducing the Tribune Company to fire Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of him
  • attempting to obtain personal financial benefits for himself in return for his appointment of a US senator
He was charged with:
  • attempting to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions
  • attempting to use state funds for the private purpose of inducing the Tribune Company to fire Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of him
  • attempting to obtain personal financial benefits for himself in return for his appointment of a US senator
Mr Fitzgerald accused the governor of doling out government contracts and grants in return for campaign contributions, or - in the case of the Tribune company - favourable newspaper coverage.Mr Fitzgerald accused the governor of doling out government contracts and grants in return for campaign contributions, or - in the case of the Tribune company - favourable newspaper coverage.
As well as announcing the charges, Mr Fitzgerald also released transcripts of intercepted phone conversations conducted by Mr Blagojevich.As well as announcing the charges, Mr Fitzgerald also released transcripts of intercepted phone conversations conducted by Mr Blagojevich.
The accusations triggered a fierce reaction from Mr Blagojevich's political colleagues and many called on him to resign, including President-elect Obama.The accusations triggered a fierce reaction from Mr Blagojevich's political colleagues and many called on him to resign, including President-elect Obama.
What attempts have been made to remove Mr Blagojevich?What attempts have been made to remove Mr Blagojevich?
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a suit with the state's supreme court to have the governor declared unfit to serve, but her action was rejected by the court.Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a suit with the state's supreme court to have the governor declared unfit to serve, but her action was rejected by the court.
The Illinois General Assembly has formed a committee to examine the evidence against Mr Blagojevich.The Illinois General Assembly has formed a committee to examine the evidence against Mr Blagojevich.
It will report back to the Assembly, which will then vote on whether to impeach the governor.It will report back to the Assembly, which will then vote on whether to impeach the governor.
The Illinois State Senate would then conduct the impeachment - effectively a trial - and decide Mr Blagojevich's fate.The Illinois State Senate would then conduct the impeachment - effectively a trial - and decide Mr Blagojevich's fate.
The governor has indicated that he has no intention of resigning from his position.The governor has indicated that he has no intention of resigning from his position.
What links the major players in the affair?What links the major players in the affair?
Mr Blagojevich has been a key figure in Illinois politics for many years and has consequently had dealings with other Illinois politicians, including Mr Obama and his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel.Mr Blagojevich has been a key figure in Illinois politics for many years and has consequently had dealings with other Illinois politicians, including Mr Obama and his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel.
In 2002, Mr Obama (then an Illinois State Senator) supported Roland Burris in the primary that determined which Democrat would run for the state governorship.In 2002, Mr Obama (then an Illinois State Senator) supported Roland Burris in the primary that determined which Democrat would run for the state governorship.
When Mr Burris failed to win the nomination, Mr Obama endorsed the winner - Mr Blagojevich.When Mr Burris failed to win the nomination, Mr Obama endorsed the winner - Mr Blagojevich.
He and Mr Emanuel went on to act as informal strategists on Mr Blagojevich's campaign.He and Mr Emanuel went on to act as informal strategists on Mr Blagojevich's campaign.
Mr Blagojevich returned the favour in 2004, endorsing Mr Obama in his Senate election battle (although he had not backed him in the primary).Mr Blagojevich returned the favour in 2004, endorsing Mr Obama in his Senate election battle (although he had not backed him in the primary).
Mr Obama also endorsed Mr Blagojevich in his 2006 re-election bid.Mr Obama also endorsed Mr Blagojevich in his 2006 re-election bid.
As for Mr Burris, he has donated a total of $4,500 to Mr Blagojevich's campaign fund over the years, with his most recent donation coming in June 2008, according to state records.As for Mr Burris, he has donated a total of $4,500 to Mr Blagojevich's campaign fund over the years, with his most recent donation coming in June 2008, according to state records.