MSNBC -
WASHINGTON – Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by FBI agents Tuesday morning on federal corruption charges, officials said.
His chief of staff John Harris was also charged, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed in a statement.
Blagojevich, 51, and Harris, 46, both of Chicago, were each charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery.
A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade for personal gain the state’s U.S. Senate seat, which is being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
The arrests follow a long and highly publicized corruption investigation.
Blagojevich and Harris are due to appear in federal court later on Tuesday to face the charges.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Governor Blagojevich has this comment:
Regardless of “whether you tape me privately or publicly, I can tell you that whatever I say is always lawful and the things I’m interested in are always lawful,” Blagojevich said. “And if there are any things out there like that, what you’ll hear is a governor who tirelessly and endlessly figures out ways to help average, ordinary working people.”
Also blogging on this story: Michelle Malkin, HotAir.
