Apr 13, 2009 10:45 pm US/Central
Rod Blagojevich Scheduled To Be Arraigned Tuesday
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich speaks during a press conference at the Thompson Center on Jan. 23, 2009, in Chicago, Ill.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Rod Blagojevich is scheduled to be back in court Tuesday morning, along with his brother and his longtime chief fundraiser. CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports on what some expect the former governor to say to the judge who will set conditions for his release.
Legal sources tell CBS 2 they expect the former governor to say at least two things when he appears in court: "Not guilty," when the judge asks, "How do you plead?"
And, if prosecutors move to restrict his travel, sources expect Blagojevich to fight hard.
He's gone New York for David Letterman and many other shows, not to mention vacationing with family in Florida.
Also scheduled to be arraigned with him Tuesday is his brother Robert Blagojevich, and the former governor's longtime chief fundraiser Chris Kelly.
Prosecutors could reveal a bit more about witnesses they've recruited from Blagojevich's old inner circle: John Wyma, his close friend and chief of staff while in Congress; John Harris, his gubernatorial chief of staff; and Alonzo Monk, a key deputy, jogging partner and friend since law school.
Republicans are eager to hear highlights from the FBI's thousands of secret recordings.
"We'll have an un-ending saga of the trial of Rod Blagojevich next year," said U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (D-Ill). "And God knows where that will take us."
Sources say supporters seeking a Senate seat for
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. once offered to raise $5 million for Blagojevich. Jackson's brother Jonathan Jackson co-hosted a Blagojevich fundraiser.
Businessman Raghuveer Nayak, called "Individual D" by the grand jury, is another with ties to Jackson and Blagojevich. He is reportedly offering the Feds his cooperation.
Top Democrats are doing damage control.
"I don't think we should paint with a broad brush and assume that everybody is crooked because a few of them may be," said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
The former governor was released on $4,500 bond after he was arrested on two counts last December 9th. A new bond may be set on Tuesday, now that Blagojevich faces 16 counts.
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