Blago Returns $22,000 to Indicted Class Action Lawyers and $2,000 to Firm Loaned Money By Dem State Treasurer Candidate’s Bank

Among the nuggets in Governor Rod Blagojevich’s campaign finance disclosure report were three pretty big ones that were returned:

· $10,000 Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP, 1 Pennsylvannia Plaza, NY 10119 on 5-19

· $6,000 to David Bershad, 2 Stonebridge Road, Montclair, NJ on 5-19

· $6,000 to Steven Schulman, 1 Pennsylvania Plaza, Ny 10199-4899 on 5-19

Milberg Weiss promotes itself right on top as

Experts in protecting victims of corporate fraud and other public misconduct.

(No snide remarks about the Governor, please.)

The Illinois Legal Malpractice Blog says the class action lawyers are under indictment. It has led New York’s Attorney General and candidate for governor Eliot Spitzer to return its political contributions, adds the New York Times.

Milberg Weiss got its $10,000 back on May 19th.

Named partners and Blagojevich contributors David Bershad and Steven Schulman, each also had $6,000 returned on May 19th. The two pled not guilty in mid-July in Los Angeles federal court

to charges they paid more than $11 million in kickbacks to get people to join shareholder lawsuits.

And, then there is the 1202 South Western LCC, apparently owned by two convicted bookmakers, one of whom is a prostitution ring promoter, according to a Chicago Tribune editorial dissing the Democratic Party candidate for State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulia. The young banker apparently approved loans to the business, caught heat and, shortly thereafter, Blagojevich decided to return its $2,000.

As I have stated elsewhere, returning such contributions effectively contributes to the men’s and firms’ legal defense fund. Only the double Blagojevich appointee perceived to be a Republican didn’t get his money back.

Also posted on McHenry County Blog.