Feds to Freeze Blago Campaign Funds

Federal authorities have informed embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich they intend to freeze the money in his campaign fund, preventing him from using the resources to pay his legal bills, sources tell the Chicago Sun-Times. The Friends of Blagojevich fund reported having $3.6 million when officials last filed a report in June, and Blagojevich has been on a major fundraising drive since.

The funds in the campaign war chest have not been frozen yet, but sources say the letter from the feds alone will likely hit Blago's ability to move money out of the account, as it raises the possibility of prosecutors later seizing the cash. The move is a repeat tactic in Illinois. Prosecutors ordered campaign funds frozen for Blagojevich's predecessor, former Gov. George Ryan, before he was indicted on corruption charges that sent him to jail.
(More Rod Blagojevich stories.)