After Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested, he received a 14-year prison sentence. Under President Donald Trump, there was always a chance Blagojevich would be released early. And in February 2020, it finally happened. Public Official A, a new podcast from WBEZ, examines the rise and fall of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Part 1: Spare The Rod

'Public Official A' uncovers the rise and fall of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. How he did whatever it took to reach the top. The trail of destruction left in his wake. And how the complexities, charisma, and tragic flaws of this public official resonate today.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

We're sharing a preview of a new podcast from Pushkin Industries. Deep Cover tells true stories of crime and corruption. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern reveals dark underworlds most of us know nothing about. The new season, Mob Land, tells the true story of a high-rolling Chicago lawyer who fixed court cases for the mob. He did this for years... until he decided to betray them and work with the FBI. He wears a wire to expose a black market of corruption—where politicians were bought and justice was sold. Where, for the right price, even murderers could walk free... With first-hand interviews from FBI agents, mobsters, family members, and criminals, the story is truly a wild journey into a world of corruption, murder and deceit.
 
Today, we're sharing a preview of Episode 1. You can listen to the new Deep Cover season now at https://link.chtbl.com/publicofficaladeepcover

From Pushkin Industries - Deep Cover: Who Was Bob Cooley?

He’d been teasing the idea for months. Then, on Feb. 18, 2020, it happened: President Donald Trump commuted Rod Blagojevich’s 14-year prison sentence.

Commuted

The evidence is presented and President Donald Trump becomes ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's last hope. Public Official A, a new podcast from WBEZ, examines the rise and fall of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Part 6: I Talk Too Much

With almost everyone believing that he was guilty, Blagojevich fought back on national TV. Public Official A, a new podcast from WBEZ, examines the rise and fall of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Part 5: Treat Me Nice

The FBI recorded Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's phone calls for almost six weeks. What they heard shocked them. Public Official A, a new podcast from WBEZ, examines the rise and fall of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Part 1: Spare The Rod

Download our free app to listen on your phone