Reporting with Lark Turner
Jurors just heard ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich say he felt like he was "f---ing my children" because he couldn't provide for them and needed a better job.
Prosecutors show jurors how the Blagojevich household spent its money from 2002 to 2008 and for at least four of those years, the family spent more than it earned.
Here's how they break it down.
10. Medical expense under $50,000
9. Travel $50,000
8. Household help $50,000
7. Retail store purchases, under $100,000 (Target, etc.)
6. Private school under $100,000
5. Groceries/convenience store $100,000 to $150,000
4. House
3. Rental expense condos
2. Mortgage
1. Clothing -- $400,000 from 2002 to 2008
But prosecutors significantly cut out the "beads and bangles" of the presentation after Judge James Zagel told them to trim. The last jury heard about their shopping exploits at Saks Fifth Avenue, about specific receipts, the cost of socks and ties, and about the ex-governor's penchant for fancy, tailor-made suits. All that was gone this time.
Defense lawyer Elliott Riebman tries to ask Shari Schindler whether the Blagojevich's racked up credit just like the rest of America. Or whether Patti Blagojevich suffered from a down real estate market. The judge blocked the answers.


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