Blagojevich Evidence Stolen in Law Firm Break-in
A lawyer for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has reported that evidence in the corruption case was stolen from his Chicago office early this morning. The Chicago Tribune reports that at least one computer containing undercover recordings from the case was taken in a 4 a.m. break-in at the South Side law offices of Sam Adam and his son, Sam Adam Jr.
Eight computers and a safe were taken from the office, Chicago police said. But Sam Adam Jr. told the Tribune that everything taken is backed up on other computers.
“We did have some computers stolen, and we will not speculate on any motivation that might be behind it,” Adam said. “We’re trying to determine now what they did and did not take.”
The burglars set off an alarm but escaped, and there are no suspects at this time. Adam told the Tribune his office is not equipped with video surveillance.
Police say they haven’t determined whether the burglars knew what the computers contained. “It could be a happenstance burglary. All leads will be followed,” Chicago Police Deputy Superintendent Steve Peterson told the Tribune.
The FBI is not involved in the investigation, and the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago declined to comment to the Tribune on the case.
It is unclear if the burglary would delay Blagojevich’s trial on charges of selling Barack Obama’s senate seat, among other allegations. The trial is scheduled for June.
“Authorities including the judge [were] notified immediately,” about the break-in, Glenn Selig, a spokesman for Blagojevich, told BNO News.
Related coverage:
CBS 2: “Computers Stolen From Blagojevich Attorneys”
