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December 10, 2008

Politician Sought Nonprofit Payday, Says Affidavit

Tuesday’s arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich contained a somewhat telling perception about some nonprofit salaries.

Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, allegedly conspired to sell an appointment to his state’s open U.S. Senate seat, reports the Associated Press. A lawyer for Mr. Blagojevich said the governor denied the charges.

According to the 76-page affidavit from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, one of the ideas the governor floated was offering the national political position in exchange for being appointed to work at a foundation or the American Red Cross — places he thought he could make significant salaries.

In discussions with aides, which were taped by federal investigators, he also wondered about starting a nonprofit lobbying group — a 501©(4) under the U.S. tax code — by raising $10-million to $15-million from Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, and other wealthy philanthropists.

To be sure, he also discussed looking for paydays by working for a labor union, putting his wife on a corporate board, and receiving a cabinet post or ambassadorship.

—- Ian Wilhelm

Wednesday December 10, 2008 | Permalink

Comments

1. What an opportunist behaviour!!

   — Erlinda    Dec 11, 07:10 AM    #

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