excerpts of my conversation with Kirk’s ex-wife, Kimberly Vertolli, in which she discussed the “Svengali figure” behind his campaign, Dodie McCracken. Here, Vertolli offers her take on what would seem to be Kirk’s perplexingly unnecessary exaggerations. She adds that, despite some missteps in his campaign, in the race between Kirk and Giannoulias, she would vote for her ex..." />
excerpts of my conversation with Kirk’s ex-wife, Kimberly Vertolli, in which she discussed the “Svengali figure” behind his campaign, Dodie McCracken. Here, Vertolli offers her take on what would seem to be Kirk’s perplexingly unnecessary exaggerations. She adds that, despite some missteps in his campaign, in the race between Kirk and Giannoulias, she would vote for her ex..." />
excerpts of my conversation with Kirk’s ex-wife, Kimberly Vertolli, in which she discussed the “Svengali figure” behind his campaign, Dodie McCracken. Here, Vertolli offers her take on what would seem to be Kirk’s perplexingly unnecessary exaggerations. She adds that, despite some missteps in his campaign, in the race between Kirk and Giannoulias, she would vote for her ex..." />
Yesterday, I ran excerpts of my conversation with Kirk’s ex-wife, Kimberly Vertolli, in which she discussed the “Svengali figure” behind his campaign, Dodie McCracken. Here, Vertolli offers her take on what would seem to be Kirk’s perplexingly unnecessary exaggerations. She adds that, despite some missteps in his campaign, in the race between Kirk and Giannoulias, she would vote for her ex... Read more
Her marriage to Rep. Mark Kirk (R-10th Dist.) may have ended amicably in June 2009, but Kimberly Vertolli said that she will not “advocate” for her ex in his Senate run. Read more
After the closing arguments on Tuesday, I called a prominent defense lawyer in town whom I’ve known for decades. He asked not to be identified, but his insights are worth sharing as jurors begin deliberating today in the corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich. Caveat: His experience, legal acumen, and street smarts are from years of working as a criminal defense attorney... Read more
The Blagojevich defense opened its case Monday with the ex-gov’s older-by-16-months brother, Robert Blagojevich, testifying on behalf of Rod (and also himself—Rob is the alleged middle man in the plot to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat). Rob, 54, said on the stand that the siblings were close growing up, but they... Read more
"Quite frankly, it’s [Blagojevich’s] case, and it’s the high stakes that he’s facing, so he certainly runs the show on many of these things," says Aaron Goldstein, the youngest—and arguably the most effective—member of Blago's defense team. Read more
In tapes played for the jury last week at the Blago trial, the ex-gov was heard telling aides that if both Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. were drowning, and he could only save one, he’d probably pick Jackson. Back in the ’90s, Jackson was said to be Blago’s closest friend in the Illinois congressional delegation... Read more
By several accounts, Blago’s defense lawyers have come off looking like rookies—often tutored by U.S. District Judge James Zagel in a manner reminiscent of a an impatient and bored professor. Read more
“I hear you’re an Oxxford guy,” I said to Rod Blagojevich in 2003, shortly after he became governor. His beady, closely-set eyes popped in excitement, and he launched into a detailed timeline of his suit and “accessories” purchases. Blago’s enthusiasm was palpable, but I didn’t know its $200,000 pricetag until the IRS weighted in this week at his trial... Read more
Jonathan Alter grew up in Lincoln Park before heading east for school and then to New York to write for Newsweek. Currently the national affairs columnist for the beleaguered magazine, Alter is also the author of The Promise, a fast-paced analysis of President Obama’s first year. In Chicago to promote his book, the journalist stopped by my house last week... Read more