Chicago, IL, United States (AHN) – Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has been subpoenaed by lawyers of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to testify during the former governor’s corruption trial.
Giannoulias told the Chicago Tribune on Sunday that he introduced a union official to Valerie Jarrett, White House senior advisor and presidential assistant for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement.
Jarrett is believed to have been President Barack Obama’s choice for the Senate seat he vacated when he won the presidency. Blagojevich is accused of trying to sell his appointment to the seat, which Giannoulias is seeking in the November election against Rep. Mark Kirk.
Federal wiretaps played last week at the trial had Blagojevich’’s former chief of staff, John Harris, saying that Giannoulias had called him about the Senate appointment. Giannoulias told the Tribune he called to recommend Jarrett, a close friend of the Obamas, for the seat, but that he had not acted on the president’s behalf.
Republicans have been emphasizing Giannoulias’ ties to Blagojevich, who is a Democrat, in hopes of diverting attention away from Kirk’s “overstatements” about his military record. They point out that Giannoulias previously claimed Blagojevich’s staff had “reached out” to him about the vacant seat.
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