Dethroned Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was indicted Thursday on charges that he not only plotted to sell President Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder but that he has a long political history of using his stature as a lawmaker for personal gain. In their 19-count indictment, federal prosecutors allege that Blagojevich was angling for a lucrative gig, a post in Obama’s Cabinet or kickbacks from businesses in exchange for the seat. “I’m saddened and hurt but I am not surprised by the indictment,” Blagojevich, who was in Walt Disney World with his family, said in a statement. “I am innocent. I now will fight in the courts to clear my name.” Blagojevich told an aide in 2006 that he wanted to stall a $2 million state grant to a school supported by a congressman until the lawmaker’s brother held a political fundraiser for the governor, The Associated Press reported, citing the indictment. That congressman was Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s chief of staff, attorneys familiar with the case told AP Thursday. The indictment also charges Blagojevich with: scheming to get a large kickback in exchange for the refinancing of billions of dollars in state pension funds; telling an assistant that he didn’t want executives with two financial institutions getting further state business after he concluded they were not helping his wife get a high-paying job; withholding state funds sought by the Tribune Co. unless the company fired unfriendly editorial writers at the Chicago Tribune, AP reported.

TAGS: Gov. Rod Blagojevich, illinois, Indicted, Rahm Emanuel

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