By Jon Perkinsticklethewire.com
Scandal-plagued Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich stood before a packed Chicago news conference Friday and defiantly vowed to remain on the job and fight charges of public corruption leveled at him by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.
“I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing,” Blagojevich said. “I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath.”
Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on a host of charges including an allegation that he tried to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. Blagojevich has hired celebrated Chicago defense lawyer Ed Genson, who has represented the governor before an Illinois impeachment panel. No trial date has been set.
“I am dying to show you how innocent I am,” Blagojevich said. “I have done nothing wrong. I intend to stay on the job.” He asked Illinoisans to be patient and not rush to judgment.
The embattled governor appeared to refer to Fitzgerald and other critics as a “political lynch mob” that is making false accusations. He said he will not “talk in 30 second sound bites” and will answer the charges in the appropriate forum. He also said that powerful forces have arrayed against him,”it’s kind of lonely right now,” but, “I have the most powerful ally of all on my side — the truth.”
“I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated.” Randall Samborn, a spokesman for Fitzgerald, declined to comment after the press conference.
