Blagojevich refuses to disclose files of people he's pardoned

SPRINGFIELD -- A board appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich has done an about-face and refuses to release details surrounding the people whose criminal pasts he's pardoned.

The Prisoner Review Board told the Chicago Sun-Times it would be an "unwarranted invasion of personal privacy" to let the newspaper view the contents of the files of 69 people Blagojevich has pardoned since 2003.

That's a reversal from 2003, when the board publicly disclosed most information in executive clemency files. The board also allowed public access to clemency files when former Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of 167 death row inmates in 2003.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff declined to discuss the matter, saying it was a Prisoner Review Board decision. Blagojevich appoints the board's members.

Ottenhoff refused to say whether Blagojevich, who promised open government, believes the information should be public.

The closed-file policy is "really troubling," said Charles Davis, executive director of the National Freedom of Information Coalition.

"That could just be rife with corruption," Davis said. "It's a favor-creating machine."

Blagojevich has been criticized for pardoning two politically connected people, including the director of a private Chicago school shortly before the administration mistakenly sent it a $1 million grant intended to help rebuild a fire-damaged church.

The administration says it is investigating how Loop Lab School got the money.