Report: Patti Blagojevich firm under scrutiny
Commissions Gov. Rod Blagojevich's wife made in her real estate business are linked to increased revenue for a state contractor's family business, according to a published report.
Between 2001 and 2004, developer Virgil Tiran listed dozens of condominiums with Patti Blagojevich's company, River Realty, according to a story published Saturday in the Chicago Sun-Times.
The firm earned $108,000 in commissions on those condominiums by April 2002.
State payments to a company owned by Tiran's parents increased from $183,000 to $1.1 million over the next five years under the Blagojevich administration, the newspaper reported.
The company, Diane Home Care, provided services for the developmentally disabled through a contract with the state Illinois Department of Humans Services.
Blagojevich spokesman Luis Guerrero attributed the spike in the company's state business to a good track record and ability to serve a higher volume of clients. He denied that so-called pay-to-play politics are involved.
Patti Blagojevich "has been in the real estate business for many years -- long before becoming first lady -- and has developed a number of personal relationships just as other real estate professionals do," Guerrero told the newspaper. "Her various clients engaged in her services because of her credentials, abilities and her skills. To suggest otherwise does a disservice to Mrs. Blagojevich and other political spouses everywhere who chose to pursue their own careers."
Guerrero did not immediately respond to a message left Saturday by the Associated Press.
Tiran, who declined to comment to the Sun-Times, did not immediately return a message on Saturday. A telephone listing for Diane Home Care could not be located.
Federal investigators are scrutinizing Patti Blagojevich's clients, including convicted gubernatorial fundraiser Tony Rezko, according to several published reports.
Blagojevich and his wife have been repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Neither she nor Gov. Blagojevich have been charged with a crime