Feds: Ill. gov tried to 'auction' Obama's seat
Blagojevich is accused of 'corruption crime spree' over Senate appointment
Police officers outside Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's home
Paul Beaty / AP
NBC News and news services
updated 10:15 a.m. PT, Tues., Dec. 9, 2008
CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich embarked on "political corruption crime spree" and tried to benefit from his ability to appoint President-elect Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate, federal officials said Tuesday.
At a news conference in Chicago on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called it a sad day for the citizens of Illinois and alleged that the governor tried to "auction off" the Senate seat "to the highest bidder".
He said the alleged behavior "would make (Abe) Lincoln roll over in his grave".
Blagojevich had been arrested hours earlier.
A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democrat was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.
Fitzgerald said federal investigators bugged Blagojevich's campaign offices and placed a tap on his home phone.
In Illinois, the governor selects a successor when there is a mid-term Senate vacancy. Obama resigned from the Senate soon after winning the Nov. 4 presidential election.
'Truly a new low'
Fitzgerald accused Blagojevich of "appalling conduct" and said the governor "has taken us to a truly new low". He alleged that the governor wanted "tangible and up front" cash in return for appointing Obama's successor.
"He wasn't against a corrupt deal, he was against being stiffed in a corrupt deal," Fitzgerald added.
