Apr 14, 2009 11:30 am US/Mountain
Blagojevich Pleads Not Guilty To Corruption
Former Governor Outside Court: 'I'm Innocent Of Every Single Accusation'
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich talks to reporters before his arraignment on federal corruption charges on April 14, 2009.
CBS
Deposed Gov. Rod Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to an array of federal corruption charges.
As CBS station WBBM-TV's Joanie Lum reports, Blagojevich cut it close for his arrival at the Dirksen Federal Building. He arrived just before 11 a.m. for the arraignment, where he will stand before U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel with his brother, Robert Blagojevich, who was indicted with him.
The former governor's last court appearance was after he was hauled out of his Ravenswood Manor neighborhood house in handcuffs on Dec. 9.
Before the hearing, Blagojevich stopped outside the federal building to shake a few hands. Before entering, he said he was feeling upbeat about the hearing.
"I'm innocent of every single accusation. I know what the truth is as it concerns me. I'm glad that this day has started, because now we can begin the process of getting the truth out, and I can clear my name and vindicate myself," Blagojevich said, "and I have great respect for the court system, and we're going to deal with this in the court system."
No special provisions were made for Blagojevich to enter the federal courthouse, since he is no longer governor. But before he entered the building, he stopped the cab, had the cab driver roll down his window, and shook the cab driver's hand as if he were still a politician.
The last time Blagojevich made headlines, he was on vacation at Disney World with his wife and two daughters as a federal indictment was delivered against him.
He faces a wide range of accusations, among them that he attempted to sell President Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat in exchange for campaign contributions, and that he threatened to withhold state assistance to the Tribune Company in selling Wrigley Field if the Chicago Tribune did not fire certain editorial writers.
Blagojevich has spoken at great length since he was arrested, and booted from office the following month. He has insisted up and down that he has done nothing wrong, and has painted himself as a victim of Springfield politicians who he says pushed him out to raise taxes.
Also arraigned with Blagojevich Tuesday was his brother Robert Blagojevich. The former governor's longtime chief of staff John Harris, chief fundraiser Chris Kelly, and Springfield power broker William Cellini are set to be arraigned on Thursday.
Key deputy Alonzo Monk is to be arraigned on April 23.
Defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky, a longtime Blagojevich friend, was expected to stand by the impeached governor's side when he appears before Judge Zagel to enter his plea.
Other defense attorneys have been reluctant to file an appearance with the court on behalf of the governor because it could lock them into a case that could consume thousands of hours over the next two years without any guarantee they would be paid.
Attorneys say Blagojevich is unable to afford the kind of elaborate defense that the blue chip Loop law firm of Winston & Strawn provided to former Gov. George Ryan when former Gov. James R. Thompson, a longtime Ryan friend, was the firm's chairman.
Winston & Strawn defended Ryan for free. But no big names among Chicago's criminal defense lawyers are lining up to provide free services to Blagojevich.
Blagojevich does have money in his Friends of Rod Blagojevich campaign fund. But federal prosecutors have put defense attorneys on notice they will ask federal Judge James Zagel to order the campaign money forfeited if Blagojevich is convicted of the charges.
Defense attorneys could be ordered to return their fees if they dipped into the campaign fund only to have the court order it forfeited.
There has even been speculation that Blagojevich might have to turn to the federal defender's program if Zagel doesn't assure attorneys they can be paid through the campaign fund.
The former governor was released on $4,500 bond after he was arrested on two counts in December. Blagojevich now faces 16 counts.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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