Gov. Blagojevich Arrested

Gov. Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff were arrested, according to multiple reports.  The criminal complaint is online.  Paragraph 104 mentions the prospect of a new 501(c)(4) to be formed that Blagojevich could then lead.  Paragraph 105 mentions President-elect Obama potentially soliciting donations of millions of dollars for the new group.

A group called “Change to Win” is also mentioned in the complaint.   The group isssued a press release in response to the news of the arrest.  Change to Win Political Education is a “527” group registered with the IRS.  According to Ambinder, Change to Win spent more than $20 million to “help elect Democrats” in battleground states.

In several instances, the complaint mentions the role of lobbyists in raising campaign donations.  Illinois has an online lobbyist database here.

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