Jury hears ‘golden’ tapes in Blagojevich retrial

Rod Blagojevich and his wife Patti arrive at the former Governor's retrial May 2, 2011 in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Jurors in the retrial of Rod Blagojevich today heard the best-known recording from the FBI investigation.

The wiretapped phone call took place between Blagojevich and his former deputy governor, Doug Scofield, on the morning after the 2008 presidential election.

“I’ve got this thing and it’s fucking golden and I’m not just giving it up for fucking nothing, I’m not going to do it,” Blagojevich is heard telling Scofield in the call. “I can always use it. I can parachute me there.”

Scofield was no longer working in Blagojevich’s administration but was doing some work for the Service Employees International Union and was asked to set up a meeting between Blagojevich and SEIU president Tom Ballanoff. Ballanoff was contacted by then President-elect Barack Obama regarding an appointment to the U.S. Senate.

The day in court began with just a handful of questions more for Ballanoff during cross examination. As in the first trial, Scofield followed Ballanoff on the witness stand. Scofield was on the stand for just over a day in the first trial.

Listen to the “Bleepin’ Golden” FBI tape below.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.