I’m in Seattle for a conference. There’s nothing like being packed in an airplane for a four an half hour plane ride.

Rod Blagojevich, former governor of Illinois, has been indicted on 16 felony counts. The charges include racketeering, conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements. There was some speculation that his wife may be indicted also. That may happen, but it did not happen today. The Chicago Sun-Times has a very lengthy article on this indictment. The actual indictment can be read here.

The opening paragraph of the indictment reads:  “Since 2002, even before he was first elected governor that November, and continuing until he was arrested on Dec. 9, 2008, former Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and a circle of his closest aides and advisors allegedly engaged in a wide-ranging scheme to deprive the people of Illinois of honest government, according to a 19-count indictment returned today by a federal grand jury. Blagojevich, 52, of Chicago, was charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, attempted extortion and making false statements to federal agents. He allegedly used his office in numerous matters involving state appointments, business, legislation and pension fund investments to seek or obtain such financial benefits as money, campaign contributions, and employment for himself and others, in exchange for official actions, including trying to leverage his authority to appoint a United States Senator, announced Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.”