Blago's Impeachment Lawyers Jump Ship

Replacement denies deal to keep him on as 'incapacitated governor'

(NEWSER) - Rod Blagojevich said today that shortly after his December arrest by federal authorities, he was approached by “leading senators” who offered him a chance to stay on as an “incapacitated governor,” the Chicago Tribune reports. The deal, which the now-impeached governor rejected, would have been contingent on him not appointing a replacement to Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. More»

Rebuttal of governor's speech comes as impeachment trial nears conclusion

(NEWSER) - The Illinois House prosecutor gave a forceful rebuttal today to Rod Blagojevich’s closing speech, in the last act of the governor’s impeachment trial before the state Senate deliberates on his fate, the Chicago Tribune reports. “He doesn’t have a constitutional right to be governor,” David Ellis said. “It is a privilege. And he has forfeit that privilege.” More»

(NEWSER) - The first day of Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment trial in the Illinois Senate has ended after testimony from only one witness, the Chicago Tribune reports. Former federal prosecutor John Scully described how agents built a criminal case against the governor, approving wiretaps and bugs after a rigorous vetting process. “The seeking of this authority is not typical in most federal cases,” he said. More»

(AP) - The Illinois Senate has convened a historic impeachment trial that will determine whether Gov. Rod Blagojevich is removed from office, the AP reports. Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald began the trial today by reminding senators that they face "a solemn and serious business." They will consider charges that the Democratic governor tried to sell a Senate seat, used his authority to pressure campaign contributors, and defied legislative decisions. More»

(NEWSER) - Rod Blagojevich addressed his public again today, warning the citizens of Illinois that if he goes down they are all in danger, the Chicago Tribune reports. Blago likened his Senate impeachment trial, which he will boycott when it starts Monday, to a “hanging” and “a gross violation of every constitutional principle that exists.” Then came the cautionary part: “If they can do this to a governor, they can do this to any citizen in Illinois.” More»