From the Tribune:

Blagojevich: Campaign contributions stay

By John Chase
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 18, 2006, 8:42 PM CDT

Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Wednesday that he would not return campaign contributions raised by an Arab-American organization even though an internal investigation determined the state employee who heads the group organized a Blagojevich fundraiser on state time.

The governor's executive inspector general recommended firing Khalil Shalabi for allegedly conducting personal and political business while on the job at the Tinley Park Mental Health Center, according to a report obtained by the Tribune. As part of Shalabi's activities, he used state resources to solicit contributions for Blagojevich's campaign committee, organizing a Sept. 12 "Governor's Reception" fundraising dinner, according to the report.

Speaking to reporters after attending a closed business forum in Chicago with Republican rival Judy Baar Topinka, Blagojevich said he wasn't going to give the money back.

"Because one individual's wrongful action, that individual needs to be held responsible for his or her wrongful actions," the governor said, declining to answer any more questions on the matter.

Later, Blagojevich spokesman Doug Scofield said the organization, the Arab American Democratic Club, is made up of "long-standing contributors" and "they give without regard to any specific individual and shouldn't be penalized for the inappropriate actions of one person."

The group has given Blagojevich $10,500 since 2002. The campaign said it would detail how much money it received from the Sept. 12 fundraiser next week as part of state election law requirements.

A spokesman for Topinka's running mate, DuPage County State's Atty. Joe Birkett, said Birkett planned to give to charity $11,000 he received from Stuart Levine, who has been charged along with Antoin "Tony" Rezko in connection with a state board kickback scheme.

The spokesman said Birkett's campaign is examining whether to give away an additional $15,000 Birkett received from a firm that the indictment said is tied to Levine.

Earlier in the day, Topinka had suggested Birkett give back the money.

The comments from Blagojevich and Topinka followed a closed-door, hourlong forum sponsored by the Commercial Club of Chicago. Green Party candidate Richard Whitney was not invited to attend.

Guests to the luncheon, which was not open to the public or media, described a generally polite discussion about issues ranging from the need for a special session to freeze electric rates to why the two have scheduled no more public debates.