Blagojevich Says He'll Fight Corruption Charges
Illinois Governor Refuses to Resign, Calls Federal Charges "False"
Dec 20, 2008
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is refusing to resign and declared that he will fight “until I take my last breath” the federal corruption charges leveled against him, including allegations that Blagojevich tried to sell to the highest bidder the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
“I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way,” Blagojevich said at a news conference in Chicago on Dec. 19, 2008, according to a transcript of the event.
Says He Did Nothing Wrong
“I have done nothing wrong, and I'm not going to quit a job the people hired me to do because of false accusations and a political lynch mob,” said Blagojevich, 52, in his first public comments on his arrest 10 days earlier by federal officials. He read a brief statement to reporters but took no questions.
The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago recorded Blagojevich’s profanity-laced phone calls in which the governor referred to Obama’s open Senate seat as a “valuable thing” that he intended to give to whomever gave him the most.
Calls for Impeachment, Resignation
Blagojevich’s comments come as a state legislative committee has begun investigating the possibility of impeaching him.Virtually every top official in Illinois and Obama have called on Blagojevich to resign.
Shortly after Blagojevich’s heavily anticipated news conference, Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn told reporters, “He is duty bound to step aside under these perilous times and circumstances.”
A defiant Blagojevich said he will fight the charges in court. “Now, I know there are some powerful forces arrayed against me,” he said. “It's kind of lonely right now. But I have on my side the most powerful ally there is, and it's the truth.”
Obama Successor Still in Doubt
As governor, Blagojevich still has the power to appoint a successor to Obama’s Senate seat, though Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has said he will not allow anyone chosen by Blagojevich to be seated. How and when Obama’s vacant seat will be filled remains an open question.
Senate Seat for Sale
In profanity-laced phone calls recorded by the FBI, Blagojevich said he expected to profit handsomely by filling Obama’s vacant seat by appointing whoever offered the most. Obama, Blagojevich complained, was offering only “appreciation” if a candidate to his liking was appointed.
A 76-page affidavit shows that Blagojevich sought high-paying jobs for himself and his wife, Patti; a Cabinet post or ambassadorship in the Obama administration; $1.5 million in campaign contributions; or millions of dollars to start a non-profit group he would lead.
Other Charges Against Governor
Federal officials said the case against Blagojevich goes beyond the attempted sale of a U.S. Senate seat. Investigators charge that the governor demanded $50,000 in campaign contributions from top executives at a children’s hospital before he would deliver an $8 million state reimbursement for doctors’ fees.
Blagojevich also was taped saying he would hold up $100 million in state funding the Tribune Co., parent company of The Chicago Tribune, sought to help with its sale of Wrigley Field unless the company fired Tribune editorial writers critical of Blagojevich.
“To the people of Illinois,” Blagojevich said in his statement, “I ask that they wait and be patient, sit back and take a deep breath, and please reserve judgment.”
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