Blago Said Jackson Jr. “The Only One Who’s Willing to, Like, Offer Stuff” for Senate Appointment

Thwarted in efforts to trade the Senate appointment for an Obama cabinet post, ambassadorship or a million-dollar job, Blagojevich turned his attention back to the ambitions of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., the proffer says.
One recorded conversation has the former governor describing Jackson as the only one left who “wants it badly and desperately and he’s the only one who’s willing to, like, offer stuff.”
It was one of a series of Dec. 4, 2008, calls in which Blagojevich described his disdain for Jackson, but his appreciation of the $1.5 million Jackson supporters had promised in campaign cash in exchange for appointing Jackson.
Jackson has steadfastly denied any role in such a scheme, but a longtime ally, Raghuveer Nayak, is cooperating with federal authorities in the probe.
Nayak, a prominent Indian-American businessman who owns surgery clinics in Chicago, has been identified by the Tribune as the person who federal authorities say brokered the deal. Nayak, identified only as Individual P in the proffer, is a substantial fundraiser for both Jackson and Blagojevich.
Two days after the Dec. 4 phone calls, Nayak sponsored a Blagojevich fundraiser at an Indian restaurant in Schaumburg in which Blagojevich and Jackson’s brother Jonathan were in attendance.
Within a week, Blagojevich was arrested at his home.

Read more: (Jeff Coen, John Chase and David Kidwell, “’A Good Gig’ for Senate Seat,” Chicago Tribune, 04/15/2010)