Blagojevich faces trial in US Senate after impeachment

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."