Public Official A

WBEZ Chicago

4.6 (665)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
WEEKLY SERIES

'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.

EPISODE 1

Part 1: Spare The Rod

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.

34 min
EPISODE 2

Part 2: It's A Family Business

The trouble started soon after Rod Blagojevich became Governor of Illinois. A federal investigation began and a powerful political family tore itself apart. Public Official A, a new podcast from WBEZ, examines the rise and fall of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

31 min
EPISODE 3

Part 3: Rod Likes To Run

Who is Rod Blagojevich? He was an incredible retail politician who knew how to work a room. But ultimately, his obsession with climbing the ladder brought him down. Public Official A, a new podcast from WBEZ, examines the rise and fall of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

40 min
EPISODE 4

Part 4: The Tapes

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.

41 min
EPISODE 5

Part 5: Treat Me Nice

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.

36 min
EPISODE 6

Part 6: I Talk Too Much

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.

47 min
SEASON 1 TRAILER

Preview: Public Official A

Remember when the governor of Illinois supposedly tried to sell President Obama’s Senate seat? Or, how the same ex-governor got a “You’re fired” from Donald Trump on The Celebrity Apprentice? New from WBEZ Chicago, 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. The first episode comes out Jan. 18, 2019.

2 min
BONUS

Commuted

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.

4 min

See All Season 1 (8)

TRAILER

Preview: Public Official A

Remember when the governor of Illinois supposedly tried to sell President Obama’s Senate seat? Or, how the same ex-governor got a “You’re fired” from Donald Trump on The Celebrity Apprentice? New from WBEZ Chicago, 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. The first episode comes out Jan. 18, 2019.

S1

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2 min

4.6

out of 5

665 Ratings

Public Official A

04/27/2021

CGLR#1

What an interesting story! Enjoyed the facts and learning details from both sides! Great job!
Interesting!

07/26/2020

Schoncher

Well told story that only makes Blago, by his and his family’s own words, look worse than he already did. Just about the perfect length, excellent background and details, and intriguing with laughs throughout.
Great

03/24/2020

JimTurner

Loved hearing the events firsthand and in such an unbiased way.
A sad game of entrapment

02/24/2020

Queenrooji

Well done podcast. Lots of people have opinions on him but I think Rod was a dope who made things in politics more explicit and was punished for it whereas other politicians are not. Yes he wanted personal benefit for the senate seat but he did not get a benefit, he was foolish to not play Obama’s game because he was jealous of him. Why was he audiotapes for years and other politicians not taped?

'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.