Deadline near, indictment imminent for Blagojevich

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090401/ap_on_re_us/blagojevich_indictment;_ylt=ApMI\

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By MIKE ROBINSON, Associated Press Writer Mike , Associated Press Writer

– 15 mins ago

CHICAGO – An indictment is expected as early as Thursday charging ousted

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich with presiding over state government awash in

political corruption. The indictment U.S. Attorney J. Fitzgerald is

expected to produce would replace a complaint charging Blagojevich with plotting

to trade or sell President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat and a host of

other corruption.

While timing of grand jury meetings is never disclosed, Thursday is believed to

be the last before a Tuesday deadline for the complaint to be replaced.

Fitzgerald could ask U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Holderman for an

extension, but all signs point to an imminent indictment.

" We're just hours away from a massive pay-to-play indictment against Gov.

Blagojevich and possibly others, " former federal prosecutor M. ,

who sent Gov. to prison for racketeering, said at a news conference

Tuesday.

In addition to the Senate seat allegations, an affidavit accompanying the

December complaint accuses Blagojevich of trying to use his political power to

pressure the Chicago Tribune to fire editorial writers calling for his

impeachment.

Blagojevich, 52, denies any wrongdoing. But the Democrat's Dec. 9 arrest ended

his political career. The Illinois House impeached him Jan. 9. The Senate

convicted him and removed him from office Jan. 29.

Rather than brood, though, he took off on a surprise tour of national television

talk shows to proclaim his innocence.

His initial chief defense counsel, M. Genson, resigned, hinting

Blagojevich had ignored his advice to stay quiet. Blagojevich recently signed on

Genson's law partner, Terence P. Gillespie.

Blagojevich was first elected governor in 2002, promising " reform and renewal "

with headed for federal prison.

But questions soon arose over his two top fundraisers, real estate developer

Tony Rezko and roofing contractor G. . A wide-ranging federal

investigation began, covering everything from Blagojevich's hiring practices to

real estate commissions Rezko paid to the governor's wife.

The scandal haunted Blagojevich's tenure as governor.

pleaded guilty to a tax charge. Rezko was convicted of using clout with

the Blagojevich administration to gain control of two state boards and using

that power in a scheme to squeeze companies seeking state business for $7

million in kickbacks.

The Rezko trial handed Blagojevich a nasty black eye.

On the stand, one campaign contributor said Blagojevich openly dangled big-money

contracts if he would raise campaign funds. Another witness testified

Blagojevich spoke of getting him a state job while his check for $25,000 to the

governor's campaign fund lay on the table.

To each new disclosure, Blagojevich aides insisted he was innocent and didn't

" do business that way. "