Bugged governor 'tried to sell' Obama's senate seat

The governor of Illinois was arrested in the middle of the night after prosecutors said he was caught on wiretaps audaciously scheming to sell Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat for cash or a job for himself in the new administration.

FBI agents arrested Rod Blagojevich, 51, before daybreak at his Chicago home and took him away while his family was still asleep, saying the wiretaps convinced them that Blagojevich’s “political corruption crime spree” had to be stopped before it was too late.

“The Senate seat, as recently as days ago, seemed to be on the verge of being auctioned off,” US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said.

Prosecutors did not accuse Mr Obama himself of any wrongdoing or even knowing about the matter. The president-elect said: “I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening.”

Federal investigators bugged the governor’s campaign offices and tapped his home phone, capturing conversations laced with profanities and tough-guy talk from the governor.

“I’ve got this thing and it’s (expletive) golden,” Democrat Blagojevich said of his authority to appoint Mr Obama’s replacement, “and I’m just not giving it up for (expletive) nothing. I’m not gonna do it.”

Chicago FBI chief Robert Grant said even seasoned investigators were stunned by what they heard, particularly since the governor had known for at least three years he was under investigation for alleged hiring fraud and clearly realised agents might be listening in.

The FBI said in court papers that the governor was overheard conspiring to sell the Senate seat for campaign cash or lucrative jobs for himself or his wife Patti, an estate agent. He spoke of using the Senate appointment to land a job with a non-profit foundation or a union-affiliated group, and even held out hope of getting appointed as Mr Obama’s secretary of health and human services or an ambassador.

According to court papers, the governor tried to make it known through emissaries, including union officials and fund raisers, that the seat could be had for the right price.

The governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. As recently as Monday, he told reporters: “I don’t care whether you tape me privately or publicly. I can tell you that whatever I say is always lawful.”

The governor’s lawyer Sheldon Sorosky said he did not know of any immediate plans for the governor to resign. Blagojevich believed he did not do anything wrong and asked Illinois residents to have faith in him, Mr Sorosky said.

“I suppose we will have to go to trial,” Mr Sorosky said.

Also arrested was Blagojevich’s chief of staff, 46-year-old John Harris, who was accused of taking part in the schemes to enrich the governor.