Blagojevich Busted

CHICAGO (AP) ― Gov. Rod Blagojevich's lead attorney said Friday that he plans to resign from the impeached governor's criminal case.

"I have practiced law for 44 years. I never require a client to do what I say, but I do require clients to listen to what I say," Ed Genson told reporters. "I intend to withdraw as counsel in this case." 

Genson has tried thousands of cases and represented thousands of defendants. The common link among all those defendants is that they listened to his advice. That, he told CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine, wasn't the case here.

"Always, with regard to my clients, I had a relationship where my advice generally was taken," Genson said. "But at least people listened to me before they make decisions. In this case, I feel that my view and others' involved in the case, their view's a little bit different than mine, and it's better that I drop out."

As Levine left Genson's Loop office, another of the governor's attorneys, Sheldon Sorosky was walking in, presumably to try to convince Genson to reconsider.

That does not appear likely, especially after a day when the Governor's shift in strategy was evidence of the split between Genson, who didn't want the governor going public, and those who did.

Genson is one of Chicago's best known lawyers whose clients include R&B star R. Kelly and Canadian-born press lord Conrad Black. He is a tough, wry attorney known for charming juries with his down-to-earth manner.

To be official, his resignation as Blagojevich's attorney must take place in court. When asked when he planned to do so, Genson smiled and left.

Genson's announcement Friday comes one day after Blagojevich's lawyers sent mixed signals to the media regarding whether the governor planned a lawsuit challenging Senate trial rules.

Attorney Samuel E Adam told The Associated Press on Thursday that a lawsuit was being prepared and could be filed with the Illinois Supreme Court within days, pending a final decision on whether to move forward.

Genson told the AP on Thursday afternoon that he was not being included in decisions regarding the impeachment and he did not know whether Blagojevich would file a lawsuit to block the trial.

"His action, what he's doing, isn't controlled by me," Genson said. "I'm not privy to it. I should be, but I'm not."

The Chicago Tribune later posted on its Web site a story in which Genson said no suit would be filed, but the attorney declined to comment further when reached by the AP on Thursday night.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said at a news conference after Blagojevich's Dec. 9 arrest that the governor and his former chief of staff, John Harris, had been on "a political corruption crime spree" and their actions would make "Lincoln roll over in his grave."

Federal prosecutors say Blagojevich plotted to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama's election. He is accused of using the financial powers of the governor's office to squeeze potential contributors for campaign money and pressuring the Chicago Tribune to fire editorial writers urging his impeachment.

He was impeached by the Illinois House and faces removal after a trial next week in the state Senate.

Blagojevich initially was represented by little-known Chicago attorney Sheldon Sorosky. But no one was surprised when the governor turned to Genson, a tough, aggressive courtroom warrior who hates to give up.

Genson is no stranger to political corruption cases and, like most defense attorneys, has lost his share.

He represented former Gov. George Ryan's top aide, Scott Fawell, who in 2006 was sent to prison for 6 1/2 years for racketeering. Genson also represented Ryan associate Larry Warner, also convicted.

In less recent history, U.S. Rep. Mel Reynolds, D-Chicago, for all Genson's efforts to save him, was convicted in August 1995 of having sexual relations with an underage campaign volunteer.

One of Genson's biggest wins came in the case of former state Sen. Miguel Santiago, D-Chicago. The Cook County treasurer and another official pleaded guilty to giving Santiago a no-work, no-show job on the county payroll.

Santiago was acquitted in January 1999.

Genson's most spectacular victory came at the trial of R&B singer R. Kelly, who was accused of having sexual relations with an underage girl. He was acquitted of all charges.

Genson didn't fare as well at last year's Conrad Black trial. Genson and a team of other attorneys got Black off on many of the charges against him. But the one-time press baron had to go to prison for 6 1/2 years anyway for pocketing money belonging to shareholders.

Genson, who uses a wheelchair because of a neurological ailment that affects his hip, is a graduate of Northwestern University law school. But he got his first taste of criminal law as a boy, trailing his bail bondsman father through the city's tough, gritty police courts.

CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine contributed to this report.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Editor's Picks

• Gay Celebrities
• Did You Know? Stars From Chicago!
• Celebs Who Lean To The Right
• Real Or Fake?