Impeached governor lands six-figure book deal

March 3, 2009 by James Bregenzer
Filed under: Blagojevich, Corruption

Blagojevich apparently has an agent now, who is reporting that the now-impeached governor signed a six-figure book deal Monday and will be releasing a tell-all book on the “dark side” of Chicago politics and “the discussions, the considerations and the factors involved” in selecting an appointee for the U.S. Senate.

The Chicago Tribune reports: “First he was charged with trying to sell a U.S. Senate seat; now ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich is trying to sell a book about it.”

Michael Viner, president of Phoenix Books, said he was “fascinated” by Blagojevich’s story and the behind-the-scenes dirt the former politician could deliver.

“It’s not been written yet, but conceptually, [it will focus on] the horse-trading that is done and considered throughout politicians’ reigns, the choices they make and why they make them, and the influence of lobbying groups and other politicians have and how it affects how business is done,” Viner said. “It’s more than a story about one man.”

Viner said he was “shocked” Blagojevich would be willing to take on such a project while facing the likelihood of a criminal trial, “but he believes in it that strongly.”

The book, with a working title of “The Governor,” is scheduled to be released in October.

The twice-elected Chicago democrat was impeached and removed from office by Illinois state legislature on Jan. 29 for abusing the powers of the governor’s office. The decision to impeach and remove the former governor from office was triggered by Blagojevich’s Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges including trying to sell Illinois’ vacant U.S. Senate seat.