Blagojevich witness Rajinder Bedi credibility questioned, Federal prosecutors drop arguments to boost sentence of Raghuveer Nayak, US Attorney Office spokesman Randall Samborn confirmed

Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

“Regardless of how this plays out, it benefits Obama. If there is no appeal or the appeal is denied, Blagojevich will be sequestered. If the appeal proceeds, it could drag out beyond impacting the 2012 election cycle. The intent is obvious.”…Citizen Wells, July 19, 2011

From the Chicago SunTimes February 6, 2014.

“Credibility questioned of key witness against Blagojevich”

“Federal prosecutors told a judge Thursday they were dropping their arguments to boost a connected fundraiser’s prison sentence. The move came after the defense raised questions about their witness’ credibility.

The decision could be significant because that same witness — Rajinder Bedi — played a major role in another case, the trial of now-imprisoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

At issue was whether the fundraiser, Raghuveer Nayak, who was charged with a kickback scheme tied to surgical centers he owns, had a separate cash-back scheme involving Bedi.

Both Nayak and Bedi were involved in the Blagojevich investigation. Nayak was the so-called “emissary” to former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., who allegedly offered the Blagojevich camp more than $1 million if Blagojevich appointed Jackson to President Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat.

Bedi testified at Blagojevich’s trial that Nayak had engaged in a cash-back scheme, whereby Nayak would write him checks for doing no work and Bedi would kick back the cash. Nayak’s attorney, Tom McQueen, said the prosecution’s reversal in court on Thursday means his client faces charges involving a $23,000 loss to the government, rather than more than $750,000. Federal sentencing guidelines are driven in part by the amount of money that’s lost.

“We withdrew a request for a one-level enhancement today, based on Nayak’s alleged tax loss,” U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesman Randall Samborn confirmed.”

Read more:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/25421677-418/credibility-questioned-of-key-witness-against-blagojevich.html