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Blagojevich faces trial in US Senate after impeachment
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, accused by federal prosecutors of trying to auction President- elect Barack Obama's former US Senate seat, was impeached by the state's House of Representatives for abuses of power.
- Bloomberg
- Published: 10:21 January 10, 2009
Washington: Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, accused by federal prosecutors of trying to auction President- elect Barack Obama's former US Senate seat, was impeached by the state's House of Representatives for abuses of power.
The House voted 114-1 on Friday to compel the state Senate to hold a trial to remove Blagojevich for violating the state constitution.
House Speaker Michael Madigan said another vote will be taken by the House on January 14 after a new General Assembly is sworn in to ratify Friday's decision.
A report underpinning the vote said Blagojevich should be ousted for "scheming to obtain a personal benefit for the Senate appointment" and engaging in "abuse of office of the highest magnitude."
Blagojevich said in a news conference on Friday that he wasn't surprised by the impeachment vote, adding that he has been "engaged in a struggle" with the House.
He said he expects to be exonerated and said he is "not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing."
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