CHICAGO, Tuesday
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on criminal charges on Tuesday, including trying to sell the US Senate seat being vacated by fellow Democrat President-elect Barack Obama, federal prosecutors said.
Blagojevich was also accused of threatening to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of the Chicago Cubs’ baseball home Wrigley Field "to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical" of him.
The 51-year-old Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were charged in a 76-page federal indictment with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. Both were taken into custody at their homes in Chicago.
obama resigns
In Illinois, the governor selects a successor when there is a mid-term Senate vacancy. Obama resigned from the Senate soon after winning the November 4 presidential election.
Blagojevich allegedly was caught on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month.
—Reuters
