Blagojevich Listed Again As" Public Official A" In Federal Indictment

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald cautioned Thursday that people shouldn't jump to conclusions about three people linked to Gov. Blagojevich being indicted on the same day.

But, for the second time, the governor is identified in a federal corruption indictment -- this time as "Public Official A," a source close to the investigation said.

Former investment banker P. Nicholas Hurtgen allegedly told a hospital executive "Official A" wanted hospital projects steered to a preferred contractor, and that the desire to reward that contractor was "all about money" for political campaigns, Hurtgen's indictment alleges. The governor's office issued a forceful denial, claiming not to be that public official.

But, regardless of that denial and Fitzgerald's admonishment, this much is clear: The indictments of Hurtgen, Christopher G. Kelly and Abdelhamid "Al" Chaib leave Blagojevich facing a world of political, financial and potentially criminal trouble.

"It's like the game Battleship, and the shots are landing all around him," said Jay Stewart, executive director of the Better Government Association. "If [the investigation] isn't directed at the governor, it's sure coming close to him."

Federal prosecutors already have secured a guilty plea from political insider Stuart Levine in their wide-ranging probe of state-government corruption, which includes kickback schemes involving pension and hospital-construction boards. They've also indicted former gubernatorial fund-raiser Tony Rezko, who is fighting charges he demanded kickbacks and Blagojevich campaign contributions from firms seeking state business.

The feds hit Kelly, the governor's former campaign fund chairman, with gambling-related tax-fraud charges that weren't tied to Blagojevich. But the prospect of an extended prison stay could spark Kelly into entering a guilty plea and cooperating.

Then there's Chaib, whom the Sun-Times outed Thursday as owning Subway sandwich shops at tollway oases despite owing $359,639 in unpaid back taxes. He was indicted for participating in a business loan-fraud scheme with Rezko. Chaib, who helped build Rezko's business empire, could prove a valuable witness against Rezko should he decide to plead.

Hurtgen finds himself back under indictment after a judge dismissed criminal charges against him earlier this year. The feds recast the hospital kickback scheme charges against the former Bear Stearns investment banker.

The Chicago Sun-Times forgot to mention what political party Blagojevich belongs to.I'll bet you can name that party.