Blagojevich Judge Unmoved by Presidential-Looking Dismissal Order
Is Barack Obama sending out judicial orders from Cedar Rapids, Iowa?
The writer of a letter purporting to be from the president apparently hopes the judge overseeing the political corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich won’t see through the guise.
U.S. District Judge James Zagel revealed the letter on Monday, saying the odd messages he’s getting support his decision to keep juror names secret in the trial, the Chicago Tribune reports. The letter, reproduced in the print edition of the paper and on NBC Chicago, had an Iowa postmark and carried what appears to be a presidential seal.
“This is notice of my president executive powers,” it reads. “I’m giving notice that the Rod Blagojevich trial will be dismissed without further proceedings. Case is Permanently closed. That is my executive order, and a non-changeable order at that.”
Zagel also received an e-mail claiming to be from the “King of Japan” and a voice mail advising him the U.S. government had developed voice mimicking technology that could be used to frame the former governor.
