Blagojevich Jurors Hear 'F***ing Golden' Tape as Scofield Continues Testimony

Rod Blagojevich Trial Extended Coverage >>

Chicago - The prosecution played the infamous "F***ing Golden" tape in court Tuesday and Wednesday as former Blagojevich deputy Doug Scofield testified. 

Key Points:

• As Scofield continued his testimony Wednesday, tapes played and Scofield's testimony painted a picture of Blagojevich as frustrated and angry with the Obama administration for not offering him anything in exchange for appointing Valerie Jarrett to Senate.
• The last person to testify on Tuesday was former Deputy Governor Doug Scofield. The prosecution played the first part of the infamous tape on which Blagojevich told Scofield: "I've got this thing and it's f***ing golden and I'm not just giving it up for f***ing nothing."
• SEIU official Tom Balanoff took the stand earlier Tuesday.  Balanoff spoke with Barack Obama about his choice for his replacement in the Senate.  Balanoff communicated Obama's affinity for Valerie Jarrett to Blagojevich.
• Sam Adam, Sr.'s cross-examination of former Blagojevich Chief of Staff John Harris focused mainly on the allegations that Blagojevich was trying to cut a deal for himself in exchange for a Senate appointment.  Harris testified Blagojevich did not mention money at the end of his meeting with Jesse Jackson, Jr., although earlier in his testimony he said Blagojevich was approached by third parties about a deal for his appointment. On re-direct, the prosecution asked Harris if Blagojevich seemed like he was venting or serious when he was discussing deals with Harris.  Harris testified he was serious.

•  

UPDATE: 5:00 p.m.
Goldstein asked Scofield if agents played calls for him that the jury hasn't heard yet. Scofield said yes. Scofield also said there were a few calls on which he and Blagojevich argued about the Senate seat.

Goldstein asked Scofield about a conversation he had with Bradley Tusk.

In November 2008, Scofield said he talked with Blagojevich on the phone a couple times a day and that the calls were "more memorable than you can imagine." When asked if he was placating Blagojevich, Scofield said yes.

When it came to the Senate seat, Scofield said it's fair to say he took action to help Blagojevich with this matter.

On December 9, 2008 (the day that Blagojevich was arrested), the FBI came to Scofield's house at 6:25 a.m. Scofield spoke to FBI agents and U.S. Attorneys several times after that.

Goldstein asked Scofield if he's been charged with a crime in connection with this case. Scofield said, "No sir, I haven't."

Scofield said he wanted to maintain a good relationship with Blagojevich because it would affect his business.

Goldstein asked Scofield if he lied or placated Blagojevich because of his [Scofield's] financial affairs. Scofield said no.

Goldstein asked if the SEIU is still a Scofield client. Scofield said no.

Goldstein finished with cross-examination. The jury is excused and the prosecution will do the re-direct on Thursday morning.

The judge met with the attorneys. The defense filed a new motion asked for a mistrial based on alleged violations of federal rules of evidence. Read the motion >>>

UPDATE: 4:40 p.m.
In a call, Blagojevich asked, "How do you make a deal like that?" Scofield said Blagojevich wanted to know if he could make a deal for the Senate seat by forming a 501c4 and having wealthy donors contribute to it.

Goldstein argued with Scofield about how Blagojevich paused in this call: "How do you make a deal like that? (Pause.) But it's gotta be legal."

Judge Zagel asked Goldstein if he was almost done, and Goldstein said no. But the judge told him to move on to something more relevant.

Goldstein asked Scofield about how on tape, Scofield told Blagojevich to "leverage it for something more useful to you."

Scofield said he regrets that remark, but he was still agreeing with Blagojevich to avoid an argument. When asked if he thought about the comment before he said it, Scofield said many calls with Blagojevich could be unfocused and meandering and he wasn't always entirely paying attention.

UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.
In the call, Scofield told Blagojevich he thought Obama should be appreciative of and helpful to Blagojevich if Blagojevich appointed Jarrett to the Senate seat. On the stand, Scofield said he didn't think Obama should show appreciation by appointing Blagojevich to a cabinet position, and again he said he was placatnig Blagojevich.

In the call, Scofield told Blagojevich: "We're all friends who want you to leverage this." When Goldstein asked what he meant, Scofield said he was just repeating what Blagojevich had said over the previous few days.

At Judge Zagel's suggestion, Goldstein asked Scofield, "Did you expect to accomplish anything by repeating what Blagojevich said?"

Scofield answered that he didn't expect to accomplish anything except to avoid more arguments. He felt that Blagojevich had already made up his mind.

Also in this call, Scofield

added that Blagojevich was talking about other advisors who had disagreed with him, like Knapp. Goldstein argued that Knapp stayed close with Blagojevich through 2008, despite having disagreed with him.

UPDATE: 4:25 p.m.
In the call, Scofield said, "There's no reason for her to be Senator." Scofield said generally, Jarrett was not qualified because she had never held public office, despite her other accomplishments.

Goldstein went back to the start of the call and asked Scofield about Joe Stroud, a prominent African-American businessman who raised campaign funds for other candidates.

Goldstein asked about when Scofield reached out to Michael Sneed and told her assistant that Jesse Jackson, Jr., had some good conversations with Blagoejvich and the seat, and that Scofield wouldn't count Jackson out. Scofield said he made that call because Blagojevich wanted him to.

UPDATE: 4:15 p.m.
Goldstein asked Scofield about Ken Duncan, and how Blagojevich mentioned Duncan for the Senate seat. Scofield's response on tape was: "Interesting. What do we get out of it?" Goldstein wanted to know what he meant by "we"? Scofield said most of his work for Blagojevich was as a political consultant and that he was trying to figure out in political terms what Duncan could do for them.

Goldstein then asked Scofield about comments he made when Blagojevich asked about obtaining different jobs for Patti. Scofield admits there are times when he mislead Blagojevich.

Goldstein read the call transcript in which Scofield talks about his conversation with Jerry Morrison from the SEIU about Jarrett being appointed to the Senate seat. Scofield said it's a "huge ask" to make and that he and Morrison have to not "b-s each other."

Scofield said on tape: "You know Valerie Jarrett. Give me a f***ing break." Scofield said he was referring to Jarrett never having held public office. Scofield said again, he wasn't being truthful with Blagojevich because he had expressed his opinion several times before that it's not a good idea for Blagojevich to form at 501c4 or to appoint himself. Scofield said that agreeing with Blagojevich doesn't necessarily make any of these options happen.

Goldstein asked Scofield what lobbyists do, and if part of the job is advocating to public officials for their clients. Scofield said yes. Goldstein asked, what does the lobbyist do if the public official disagrees with the client's goal? Scofield said the lobbyist does not necessarily stop.

Scofield testified that when he said "Jarrett isn't exactly SEIU's kind of Senator," Scofield said he meant that she didn't come from a labor platform or background.

UPDATE: 3:50 p.m.
Goldstein went back to the issue of Scofield "placating" the governor.

In that call, Scofield told Blagojevich he had something important and valuable the Obama administration wanted. Goldstein asked Scofield if he really believed that, and Scofield said no, but that he had made a decision to stop arguing with Blagojevich about the Senate seat, since he'd already disagreed with him twice before.

Scofield testified there was a "a lot of" telling Blagojevich what he wanted to hear.

Goldstein asked again about the November 6 meeting which was attended by Blagojevich, Quinlan, Greenlee and Harris, during which Blagojevich brought up the HHS position. Goldstein trying to state that no one disagreed with Blagojevich's apparent plan to ask for this position in exchange for the Senate appointment. The prosecution objected and the judge sustained.

UPDATE: 3:40 p.m.
Goldstein asked Scofield about talking with Blagojevich on November 6, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. Blagojevich asked him what they could get for the Senate seat.

In this conversation, Scofield said Balanoff would be a good person to ask the Obama administration for the HHS position.

Scofield said yes, he did arrange a second meeting between Blagojevich and Balanoff.

Goldstein asked Scofield abotu a previously played call. In this call, Scofield said Blagojevich is referring to a U.N. ambassador position and that Blagojevich joked his nephew was too young to be appointed to a Senate seat.

Goldstein asked Scofield what Blagojevich meant when he said "I got this thing and it's f***ing golden."

Scofield said "the thing" is Blagojevich's ability to appoint a Senator. Goldstein asked Scofield if he agreed with Blagojevich, and Scofield said no. He said he was placating the governor with what he wanted to hear, and that he did this from time to time.

  UPDATE: 3:30 p.m.
The defense asked Scofield if the HHS position was discussed during the November 3, 2008 meeting between Blagojevich, Harris, Greenlee and Quinlan.

Scofield said yes, Blagojevich proactively brought up this topic and said this was the cabinet position in which he was most interested.

Scofield said he doesn't specifically recall how Harris, Greenlee or Quinlan reacted to this idea.

The defense asked if Scofield

called law enforcement after this meeting. Scofield said no.

Now the judge is in a sidebar conference with the attorneys.

UPDATE: 3:25 p.m.
The defense asked Scofield about setting up a meeting between Blagojevich, Balanoff and Andy Stern on November 3, 2008.

Scofield said he spoke with Blagojevich again after walking Balanoff and Stern out of the Thompson Center. Scofield said he spoke to Blagojevich "in the back area" of Blagojevich's office and that Harris, Quinlan and Greenlee were also present. Scofield said this discussion took about 30 minutes, and they briefly discussed appointing Lisa Madigan to the Senate seat.

The defense asked Scofield if he told the U.S. Attorney and the FBI that he had a "lengthy" discussion about appointing Lisa Madigan to the Senate seat. Scofield said he doesn't remember if being "lengthy" but her name was discussed.

Scofield said he understood that Pritzker was going to have lunch with Blagojevich and that Pritzker was an emissary for Lisa Madigan. He recalled Blagojevich saying he had lunch with Pritzker and that Priztker told him Lisa Madigan was interested.

Defense asked Scofield if it was "accurate" to say that Blagojevich was in discussions with the Madigans about the Senate seat. Scofield said yes.

UPDATE: 3:15 p.m.
Earlier, Scofield testified that Blagojevich had a good understanding of campaign fundraising. The defense asked Scofield if he could recall any specific conversations about that. Scofield can recall several.

Defense asked about the time period when they lost touch, and pointing out that they didn't talk about fundraising then.

Defense asked Scofield if he volunteered to work on the Blagojevich re-election campaign. Scofield said yes.

In 2008, Scofield said he was paid by Blagoejvich and not the State of Illinois, and he frequently talked with Blagojevich in the spring of 2008 and November of 2008.

Defense asked Scofield if he was an "advisor" to Blagojevich, and Scofield said he didn't consider himself an advisor, but he did give advice. Defense asked Scofield if Blagojevich trusted him and his advice, and Scofield said: "Not always."

The defense asked Scofield about the time when Balanoff called in November 2008, asking Scofield to set up a meeting between Balanoff, Stern and Blagojevich. Scofield noted that Illinois SEIU is a client of his PR/political consulting firm.

UPDATE: 3:10 p.m.
Blagojevich defense attorney Aaron Goldstein cross-examined Doug Scofield.

Goldstein said he wants to go over a few things from the call that took place on November 13, 2008 at 3:41 p.m, and he read the part of the transcript in which Scofield agrees with Blagojevich that it's "too important to rush" with regards to the public.

Goldstein asked Scofield about how he says in the call the only person worth doing something with was Jarrett.

Goldstein then asked Scofield about why he left the first Blagojevich administration after only a few months on the job as Deputy Governor. Scofield had testified earlier that he left because he was "uncomfortable" with Rezko's and Kelly's involvement in the governor's administration.

Scofield expressed those concerns to Monk. Defense asked him if he ever talked with Blagojevich about these concerns, and Scofield said he doesn't not recall having any conversation with Blagojevich about it.

Earlier, Scofield said he also wanted to leave the Blagojevich administration because of the lack of reform. Goldstein argued, how could Scofield say that when he was only there for three months? It's hard to accomplish any reform in three months. Scofield responded that he left because he felt Blagojevich's administration was not committed to reform.

Goldstein tried to move on to a few other points, but can't because the prosecution objected and the judge sustained the objections.

Goldstein asked Scofield what he did after leaving the Blagojevich administration. He said he started his own PR/political consulting company in Chicago, and had very little contact with Blagojevich over the next two years, but he did keep in contact with Monk.

UPDATE: 2:45 p.m.
Scofield also testified that in his second term, Blagojevich was more concerned about his personal and professional future, and talked about how Patti was having a difficult time with her real estate business because of the investigations.

Prosecution asked Scofield if Patti ever got a job at the SEIU. Scofield said he told Blagojevich he'd talk with union leaders about it, but that Patti did not get a job with the SEIU.

The prosecution asked if Blagojevich ever mentioned having credit card debt. Scofield said yes, Blagojevich described his credit card debt as "lots" and significant.

The prosecution then asked if Blagojevich ever mentioned getting Patti a job with either his campaign or in his administration. Scofield said yes.

The prosecution is now done with the direct examination of Scofield. The court is on a short break. When court resumes, the

defense will begin cross-examination.

UPDATE: 2:42 p.m.
In a call that took place on November 13, 2008 at 3:41 p.m., Scofield tells Blagojevich that he talked with Wyma and Wyma would talk with Rahm Emanuel and get back to them. Scofield testified that wasn't actually correct, but it was the easiest way to get the message to Blagojevich. (Scofield testified earlier that Wyma was "non-committal" about passing the 501c4 message to Emanuel.)

On tape, Blagojevich said Duckworth had no chance of him appointing her because Durbin and Emanuel are supporting her.

Scofield said he never heard back from Wyma.

Scofield said his calls with Blagojevich fell off after this call, and he did not speak with him further about the Senate seat. Prosecution said it's also about the same time that Jarrett pulled her name from consideration for the Senate seat.

Scofield said he doesn't recall having any policy discussions with Blagojevich regarding the Senate seat.

Prosecution switched topics to the Academy for Urban School Leadership and the Chicago Academy. This is the scenario in which the prosecution alleges that Blagojevich held back $2 million in state funding to a school until Emanuel's brother Ari Emanuel -- a hollywood agent -- held a fundraiser for Blagojevich.

UPDATE: 2:39 p.m.
The prosecution played another call from Nov. 13, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. Blagojevich asked Scofield to call Wyma and tell Emanuel about the 501c4 and that it was not related to the Senate seat. Scofield said this was contrary to what they just discussed in a previous call.

Scofield said Blagojevich mentioned George Soros and Warren Buffett as potential donors to the nonprofit and that he didn’t want it directly conveyed to Emanuel that the nonprofit and Senate seat were tied together -- even though they were.

Blagojevich said the mission for Wyma was to put it in Emanuel’s head that they would like him to help fund it. Scofield said it was important Emanuel understand this and then he asked Blagojevich if the two were connected. Blagojevich said correct.

When Blagojevich said "Valerie or not, it didn’t have to be her," Scofield testified Blagojevich was not sure if Jarrett still wanted the seat, and even if she didn’t there were others around her who did.

Blagojevich told Scofield he could be direct with Wyma because he didn’t want to put Wyma in a bad position. Scofield said Blagojevich indicated he didn’t want to speak directly to Blagojevich about this because Wyma was being scrutinized about a client in D.C. as was Blagojevich by the feds.

Scofield testified he called Wyma after that call and told Wyma every once in a while they were asked to do something considered ridiculous by their standards and that he was passing on a message from Blagojevich.

Scofield said Wyma was "noncommittal" to the idea of Emanuel recruiting donors for Blagojevich's 501c4 and Scofield said he didn’t believe Wyma was going to pass on the message to Emanuel.

UPDATE: 2:21 p.m.
After resuming from lunch break, the prosecution played a recording of a phone conversation between Scofield (who was in Michigan) and Blagojevich on Nov. 13, 2008 at 12:21 p.m.

In this call, Scofield said Blagojevich said he talked to Jerry Morrison, who was no longer interested in being senator, and it looked like Jarrett might not want the seat but might take it if offered.

Blagojevich brought up his idea for creating a 501c4 nonprofit organization and how he could work there later. He asked if the SEIU would be interested in funding the organization because of Families USA, a similar group already in existence.

In the call, Blagojevich said he thought Obama didn’t want him to appoint himself to Senate.

Blagojevich asked about enlisting Andy Stern or Rahm Emanual to help form the nonprofit and that he'd like Emanuel to know about funding for the 501c4 ASAP. He also indicated he didn’t want Emanuel to think the nonprofit funding was connected to the Senate seat appointment. Scofield said he didn’t want to say this directly to Emanuel.

Scofield said Blagojevich mentioned John Wyma as being the emissary to take the message to Emanuel, since Wyma already acted as such for him. Blagojevich said he thought Wyma might be afraid to convey the message to Emanuel because he was a D.C. lobbyist. Blagojevich then said he'd ask John Harris to take the message to Emanuel.

UPDATE: 1:10 p.m.
The prosecution played a recorded phone call between Blagojevich and Scofield from Nov. 11, 2008 at 9:37 a.m. "We gotta get that Jesse Jr. thing out there," Blagojevich said, referring to getting Michael Sneed to report Jackson, Jr. was being considered for the Senate seat.

In the call, Scofield said Blagojevich mentioned forming a 501c4 nonprofit for children's health care and some wealthy businessmen that the Obama administration could get to donate, people like Warren Buffett.

On tape, Blagojevich said "How do you make a deal like that? It’s got to be legal."

Blagojevich

asked what if he was under impeachment next year. “I got to parachute out of here.”

"That’s the advantage of Louanner. Cover my flank," Blagojevich said. Scofield testified Blagojevich was talking about the advantage of appointing Louanner Peters to Senate, because she might step aside and not run for reelection, giving Blagojevich an option if he's impeached.

"Betcha J.B. [Pritzker] can raise money like that for a Senate seat,” Blagojevich said. Scofield said Blagojevich was asking if it was a good idea to appoint Pritzker to the seat if he donated to Blagojevich's 501c4. Scofield told Blagojevich, "I don’t know. that’s a hard one to do" Scofield said it was hard because Pritzker had never held public office. Scofield said Blagojevich agreed, but added "I really think you can do more good than appoint Jarrett and getting nothing back."

Blagojevich said, "They got to him," referring to Obama’s people getting to Bill Knapp. Scofield said Knapp was pressuring Blagojevich to quickly appoint someone to the Senate seat, possibly during a lame duck legislative session. Scofield said Blagojevich called Knapp a traitor.

Scofield said Knapp told Blagojevich that "Obama's good will" in exchange for appointing Jarrett should be good enough for Blagojevich. Scofield said Blagojevich was frustrated that Knapp supported the idea.

Despite Scofield saying the 501c4 was not a good idea, Scofield said Blagojevich didn’t give up on the idea and that Blagojevich didn’t want to be the one to ask Pritzker and others to donate to the nonprofit.

Judge James Zagel dismissed the jury for lunch and then told attorneys for both sides the defense motion for a mistrial based on the Supreme Court’s honest services ruling only applies to the situation regarding the Tribune editorial board, where Blagojevich is accused of saying he'd pull state support for the sale of Wrigley if the editorial board wasn’t fired. Judge Zagel said honest services didn’t apply because Blagojevich is accused of trying to bribe the Tribune, not the other way around. Both sides were asked to file written briefs on the issue before the judge makes a final ruling on the defense mistrial motion.

The court took a lunch break for an hour.

UPDATE: 11:58 a.m.
The prosecution played a recording of a phone call from Nov. 10, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. "Tell Balanoff I over-promised on Jesse Jr. I had a conversation over the weekend I’ll tell you about later," Blagojevich said. "I told Balanoff and Stern no way, but now he might be a candidate."

Scofield said Bill Knapp told Blagojevich that he might not personally gain anything from the Obama administration by appointing Jarrett to the seat.

On tape, Blagojevich said “What about Patti and these boards?" referring to Patti being appointed to a corporate board instead of Blagojevich if he appointed Jarrett.

Scofield testified he didn’t tell Blagojevich he thought it wasn’t a good idea for several reasons. Scofield said he told Blagojevich early on that he didn’t think Blagojevich would be appointed to the health and human services position and Blagojevich was displeased or frustrated by it. Scofield added he didn’t want to argue with Blagojevich over something that seemed implausible.

The prosecution asked about Blagojevich's demeanor, and Scofield said Blagojevich could be difficult. If you said something he didn’t like, Scofield said he'd seen Blagojevich cut people off and not talk to them.

Blagojevich said on the tape he could do Valerie Jarrett, but it they didn’t give him anything more than some vague assurances, then he’d appoint Jackson, Jr.

Blagojevich said, "The arrogance of these f***ing people." Scofield testified Blagojevich was talking about people close to Obama asking Blagojevich to appoint Jarrett for something vague in return.

On the afternoon of Nov. 10, 2008, Scofield said he talked to Blagojevich several times. During these discussions, Scofield testified Blagojevich wanted it communicated that he was talking with Jackson, Jr. and that he was a strong candidate for the seat. Scofield said Blagojevich wanted people close to Obama to know this information. After the conversation, Scofield said he reached out to columnist Michael Sneed to see if she might be interested in running it.

UPDATE: 11:37 a.m.
The prosecution played a taped phone call between Blagojevich and Scofield from Nov. 7, 2008 at 11:06 am

“Hey, so they want to get out of Chicago politics,” Blagojevich said, referring to people close to Obama who were interested in the Senate seat or a cabinet post, Scofield testified.

Blagojevich mentioned a "highly unlikely prospect" on tape that Scofield said was Blagojevich appointing himself to the seat. Blagojevich said, “She wants it,” referring to Valerie Jarrett wanting to be a senator. "I know my path to U.S senator. There's a way we can work this out," Blagojevich said on the tape. Scofield testified Blagojevich was imagining Jarrett's thought process on the matter and