Legal News

Blago?s Last Stand

By Dan Slater

“His career tattered but his dramatic flair intact . . .”

That’s the lead to today’s Chicago Trib story on “embattled” Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who, after choosing a publicity tour over participation in his impeachment trial, pulled an about-face yesterday. In approximately two hours from now, Blago will present a 90-minute closing argument. The Senate could vote on impeachment as soon as today. Here’s more from the WSJ.

“He will not testify or subject himself to cross-examination,” Senate President John Cullerton told the chamber.

Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero told the Trib: “Sen. Cullerton asked him to come down. I don’t think he’s going down there to resign; I think he’s going to make his appeal to senators.”

A vote by 40 of the legislature’s 59 state senators to convict Blagojevich on charges of abuse of power would instantly make Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn the state’s 41st governor.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on January 29, 2009 (boomark / email).