The independent media world was shocked by revelations that the Minnesoros “Independent’s<\/em>” recent layoffs occurred as the FBI was investigating Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich on charges of corruption.<\/p>\n Officials from the Center for “Independent” Media – which controls the financing, story assignment and editing for the “Independent”<\/em> – have not been reached for comment, and are otherwise suspiciously silent on the links between cuts to the “Independent<\/em>” and the Blagojevich investigation . Calls to Citizen Journalist First Class Steve Perry went unreturned (as he has reportedly left the company – again, “coincidentally” right about the time Blagojevich’s investigation was about to boil over); calls to Citizen Journalists Second Class Paul Demko and Chris Steller haven’t been placed, since the call will be so very likely to wind up on an FBI wiretap.<\/p>\n The timing of these allegations come as allegations that the Minnesoros “Independent”<\/em> hired Citizen Journalist Chris Steller immediately after ultraliberal financier George Soros sent a large payment to the Center for “Independent” Media continue to go unanswered.<\/p>\n