EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Rod Blagojevich "Optimistic," Won't Be Run Out Of Chicago


Posted on Aug 17, 2010 @ 07:09PM  
AP

Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was convicted on only one of 24 counts against him Tuesday afternoon and his camp sees that as a victory.

Blagojevich’s rep Glen Selig spoke exclusively with RadarOnline.com just minutes after the verdict and said, “It could have been better, but it definitely could have been worse.

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“He’s staying optimistic and he knows he’s done nothing wrong. He’s a fighter and he’ll continue to fight.”

Moments after news of Blagojevich’s verdict broke the Illinois government announced they will retry him on the 23 counts the jury were hung on.

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“He won’t be chased out of Chicago,” Selig said. “If he ever decided to leave it would be through his own personal choice.”

In fact, Selig said the support Blagojevich has received from his Windy City counterparts has been incredible.

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“People have been remarkably supportive. He’ll get strangers on the street thanking him for all the work he’s done,” Selig said.

“They give him credit and I’ve got a stack of letters in my office of support for him.”

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In a press conference given outside the courtroom Blagojevich said, “I want the people of Illinois to know I didn’t let you down.

“This was persecution. The prosecution threw everything but the kitchen sink at me. This jury shows you that on every count except for one they couldn’t prove I did anything wrong.”

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Blagojevich has been married to his wife Patti for 20 years and Selig said, “This whole ordeal has 100 percent without a doubt brought him and Patti closer together.

“She is an incredibly strong woman and they have an amazing marriage. She absolutely believes in him and is supportive of him.”

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Selig concluded by saying that one of Blagojevich’s worst fears was that “people would believe what was being said about him was true.”

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It was all M&M's doing for the kid . jus sayin

by VegasChick
Posted Wed, 08/18/2010 - 3:29pm

This guy is such a disgusting sleaze bag

by Reader31
Posted Wed, 08/18/2010 - 10:28am

Eleven voted to convict. One voted against. Enough said.

by veemee
Posted Tue, 08/17/2010 - 11:56pm

Selling Obama's seat? That did not happen, period. It was all talk, in fact it was Rev. Jesse Jackson who tried to buy it for $500,000, Blago told him NO. The Rev won't testify because he'll be incriminating himself. Politics are corrupt.

by allygirl11
Posted Tue, 08/17/2010 - 11:18pm

They didn't convict him because although he talked about things, he did not act on them. This is a TOTAL waste of tax payer money, to the tune of 23 million, I've heard. Let's take this prosecutor to court!! Go Blago!

by allygirl11
Posted Tue, 08/17/2010 - 11:15pm

This has been a big waste of taxpayers money. Someone needs to drop kick this prosecutor. They need to drop charges on this clown and go after real criminals. Violent criminals- drug lords-terrorists etc Barney Fife prosecutor

by Barbie Doll
Posted Tue, 08/17/2010 - 10:46pm

Interesting. it just shows how careful you have to be when try people in the court of public opinion. Nonetheless his behavior was UNSAVORY. I still think he was trying to sell Obama's seat.

by JYIANjma
Posted Tue, 08/17/2010 - 7:55pm

He wasn't trying to sell a seat, but OBAMA via his ratpack was trying to force one of his proteges into the position, or so it seems.

by LUCKY LUCY
Posted Tue, 08/17/2010 - 11:11pm

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