Friday, December 12, 2008
Jesse Jr. Backers Sought Cash for Blagojevich
CHICAGO – According to a published report, businessmen with ties to both Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson discussed raising $1 million for Blagojevich as a way of persuading him to appoint Jackson to President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.
Citing unnamed sources, the Chicago Tribune reports in a story for Friday's editions that businessman Raghuveer Nayak (RUG'-oo-veer NAY'-uk) and Blagojevich aide Rajinder Bedi (RUJ'-in-dur BEH'-dee) told attendees at an Oct. 31 meeting that they needed to raise $1 million for the governor to make sure Jackson was appointed to the Senate.
Nayak is a Blagojevich supporter who is also close to the Jackson family. Bedi has also been a Blagojevich fundraiser.
Jackson's attorney said while Jackson discussed the Senate seat with Nayak, he never asked him to do anything.
CHICAGO – According to a published report, businessmen with ties to both Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson discussed raising $1 million for Blagojevich as a way of persuading him to appoint Jackson to President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.
Citing unnamed sources, the Chicago Tribune reports in a story for Friday's editions that businessman Raghuveer Nayak (RUG'-oo-veer NAY'-uk) and Blagojevich aide Rajinder Bedi (RUJ'-in-dur BEH'-dee) told attendees at an Oct. 31 meeting that they needed to raise $1 million for the governor to make sure Jackson was appointed to the Senate.
Nayak is a Blagojevich supporter who is also close to the Jackson family. Bedi has also been a Blagojevich fundraiser.
Jackson's attorney said while Jackson discussed the Senate seat with Nayak, he never asked him to do anything.
