Dec 15, 2008 9:37 pm US/Central
High-Profile Defense Attorney Takes On Gov's Case
Blagojevich Team Tries To Maintain Normalcy
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich waves at the media from his front porch outside of his home Dec. 12, 2008 in Chicago, Ill.
Joshua Lott/Getty Images
For years the mob had him on speed dial. His clients know he'll do almost anything to win. And Monday night, CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports Gov. Rod Blagojevich has retained legendary Chicago attorney Ed Genson to fight the federal corruption charges against him.
Genson is no stranger to high-profile clients, recently winning acquittal for entertainer R.Kelly and representing newspaper magnate Conrad Black, who was convicted. With the governor as his latest client, he knows he's got a real battle on his hands.
After meeting with his attorney for more than three hours, Blagojevich walked out of a Loop office building and into the waiting microphones of a crowd of reporters.
"There's going to be a time and place to talk about this," Blagojevich said."In fact, I can't wait to talk to you guys and have a chance to be able to say the things I'm looking forward to saying."
Reporters have been waiting to hear the governor talk ever since he was arrested last week on federal corruption charges, including claims he tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat to the highest bidder.
While Blagojevich did not say much Monday night, Genson briefly spoke to reporters, responding to the question of hour, saying Blagojevich is not going to step aside.
"He's not stepping aside. He's not done anything wrong. We're going to fight this," Genson said.
Genson says he's not only prepared to fight his client's corruption complaint, but he'll also fight any attempts to impeach the governor.
"I think that when it comes to pass you'll see it's not what it seems and you'll find that he's not guilty," Genson said, adding that the governor is coping well with the situation.
Even as the momentum grows to throw Blagojevich out of the governor's chair, he and his staff tried to make Monday seem like just another day at the office. CBS 2's Derrick Blakely reports.
Blagojevich loaded a minivan Monday morning with big red suitcases, along with his wife and two daughters, a spokesman said Blagojevich isn't taking a road trip, except to the office.
"The film tax credit will create jobs. I'll sign that bill today," Blagojevich said.
Upon arrival at the Thompson Center, Blagojevich did just that. He headed up to his 16th floor office and his spokesman insists Blagojevich isn't preoccupied with Monday's new effort by House Speaker Michael Madigan to impeach him.
Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn called for action before the new legislature takes over, January 14th.
"I don't think the people of Illinois have much more patience with the governor," Quinn said.
The governor's spokesperson insists that neither Blagojevich, nor his wife, nor his kids are going anywhere even as the political and legal heat grows more intense. There were no hints that the governor's resignation is imminent.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker and Derrick Blakley contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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