Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s brother is offering to testify before a Congressional ethics committee that last week relaunched its investigation of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.).
Robert Blagojevich told the Chicago Sun-Times on Thursday that he has written to all 10 members of the U.S. House Committee on Ethics. He’s offering his testimony about Jackson’s effort to secure an appointment by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich in late 2008 to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant with the election of President Barack Obama.
“Based on what I know, I believe Jesse Jackson Jr. has a lot of unanswered questions that he needs to answer,” Robert Blagojevich told the Sun-Times. “There are a lot of unanswered questions he should be required to answer.”
Robert Blagojevich — who was tried with his brother in federal court last year — testified in his own defense during the trial, telling jurors he was approached by two Jackson supporters, on separate occasions, in 2008 with an offer: Get his brother to give Jackson the Senate appointment, and Jackson would give the governor campaign cash. Robert Blagojevich was heading his brother’s reelection campaign at the time.
Robert Blagojevich said Rajinder Bedi approached him in late October 2008, offering more than $1 million for the seat on Jackson’s behalf. Bedi testified as a prosecution witness that he had met with Jackson earlier on the same day that he met with Robert Blagojevich and that both fund-raising and the Senate seat were discussed in Jackson’s presence. Bedi also testified that, when he passed along the offer, Robert Blagojevich turned it down .
Robert Blagojevich testified that, on Oct. 31, 2008, Raghu Nayak approached him with a $6 million offer — $1 million up front and Jackson would raise another $5 million for the governor once Jackson was appointed to the Senate. He said he again turned it down.
“I very definitely got the impression that they were representing Jackson,” Robert Blagojevich said.
Jackson has denied the accusations, saying he sought the Senate appointment but never did anything illegal.
Jackson testified under oath at Rod Blagojevich’s trial last summer, denying that he had ordered anyone to approach the Blagojevich camp with a pay-to-play offer.
The South Side Democrat’s staff did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment regarding the latest development in the ethics investigation.
Robert Blagojevich said he has heard from the chief of staff of the House ethics panel, acknowledging receipt of his letter. He said he has not yet heard whether he will be asked to testify.
Robert Blagojevich, who lives in Nashville, Tenn. had been charged along with his brother in 2009. Federal prosecutors accused him of having helped his brother further a scheme to sell the Senate seat. After the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the counts against Robert Blagojevich, prosecutors in 2010 dismissed the charges.
The Sun-Times reported last year that Nayak has told federal authorities that Jackson directed him to approach the Blagojevich camp with a $6 million offer.
The former governor was re-tried alone last summer and convicted on 17 of 20 charges he faced. Rod Blagojevich’s sentencing has not yet been rescheduled. His lawyer and wife have said the sentencing could happen in early November.
Robert Blagojevich said he and his family have sent letters of support on his brother’s behalf to U.S. District Judge James Zagel regarding the sentencing. He said he was not asked to testify at that sentencing hearing.
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