Investigations

Zell Quizzed

Tribune boss talks to the FBI about Blago request.

The proprietor of the Chicago Tribune, Sam Zell, says he has been interviewed by the Feds about indicted Illinois governor Blagojevich’s attempts to have editorial writers critical of him fired. "I'm not personally familiar with any of that and considering the fact that this is an ongoing criminal investigation, I would feel reticent to comment accordingly," Zell told CNBC. The FBI said that during a bugged call last month, Blagojevich's chief of staff, John Harris, told Blago he met with a financial adviser to the Tribune CEO who said Zell "got the message and is very sensitive to the issue." Asked whether the FBI was looking for evidence of pressure being put on Tribune staff, Zell told CNBC: "I think they're asking questions. As far as my knowledge is concerned the Tribune did not respond at all." When asked if any pressure was put on the Tribune staffers to change coverage, he said: "I certainly can't speak to that."