Illinois Gov. Indicted on Corruption Charges

U.S. prosecutors have indicted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, 51, on the charge of attempting to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested at their homes Tuesday morning. They were indicted for corruption, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and solicitation to commit bribery.

The governor was released on bail and denied all the charges against him.

According to court papers, Blagojevich tried to sell his right to appoint a senator to raise funds for his reelection campaign. In a phone call with his associate Nov. 5, the day Obama was elected president, the governor said, “I`ve got this thing and it`s f***ing golden, and, uh, uh, I`m just not giving it up for f***in` nothing. I`m not gonna do it. And I can always use it. I can parachute me there."

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said, “It is conduct that would make Lincoln roll over in his grave.”

Obama denied having contact with the governor or his office, saying he was unaware of what was happening.

triplets@donga.com