Times, just like the color of the Rod Blagojevich’s hair, have changed.
What remains the same is Tammy Duckworth’s inability to hide from her close ties to the imprisoned former governor.
Later this morning, Blagojevich will seek to have his 14-year sentence reduced after he was convicted of 17 public corruption charges.
Duckworth staunchly supported Blagojevich – even when she knew he was under federal investigation. Days after her 2006 defeat, Duckworth was rewarded for her unwavering loyalty with an appointment to run the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
FLASHBACK:
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In August 2006, Even Though She Knew Of His Ethical Lapses, Duckworth Said She Supported Gov. Blagojevich’s Re-Election. “In a letter back to Roskam, Duckworth says she supports Blagojevich’s re-election. ‘But that does not mean that I give him, or anyone else, a pass on ethical behavior,’ she said in the letter. ‘Should he or his administration be proven to have engaged in illegal or unethical actions, they should suffer the consequences.’” (John Patterson, “Roskam Asks Duckworth If She Backs Blagojevich,” Chicago Daily Herald, 8/4/06)
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During Blagojevich’s 2006 Re-Election, Federal Prosecutors Revealed They Had Been Investigating The Blagojevich Administration For More Than A Year. “At the same time, as Blagojevich began gearing up for his 2006 re-election bid, the clouds of scandal grew deeper. U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald acknowledged federal prosecutors had spent more than a year investigating fraud in state hiring that involved ‘multiple state agencies’ and developed ‘a number of credible witnesses.’ Federal prosecutors also were looking into a $1,500 check written to one of Blagojevich’s children by the husband of a recently appointed state worker. In the month before Blagojevich was re-elected, Rezko was indicted on corruption charges while his ally, Levine, pleaded guilty to wringing cash from firms seeking state business.” (“Timeline Of The Blagojevich Investigation,” Chicago Tribune, Accessed 6/24/16)
- On November 21, 2006, Gov. Rod Blagojevich Appointed Duckworth To Run The Illinois Department Of Veterans Affairs (IDVA). “Enrolling more veterans in a state health care program is a primary goal for Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, named Tuesday to head the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked Duckworth to take the post after she lost her bid to replace retiring GOP Rep. Henry Hyde in Congress.” (Deanna Bellandi, “Governor Picks Iraq War Vet To Head Veterans’ Affairs,” The Associated Press, 11/22/06)
Ten years and tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars later, Duckworth and her pal are back in the headlines together – for all the wrong reasons. Last month, it was revealed that Duckworth forced the people of Illinois to pay nearly $40,000 to settle a whistleblower retaliation trial resulting from her days as Blagojevich’s hand-picked appointee.
Given their shared knack for getting into legal trouble, it’s no wonder why Duckworth was also rumored to be Blagojevich’s first choice to take over President Obama’s seat.
Will Tammy Duckworth return the favor and join her former boss’s inmates in calling for Rod Blagojevich to be freed from prison?