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| Blagojevich set to speak at trial | Blagojevich set to speak at trial |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| The scandal-hit governor of the US state of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is expected to make a closing statement at his impeachment trial on Thursday. | The scandal-hit governor of the US state of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is expected to make a closing statement at his impeachment trial on Thursday. |
| Mr Blagojevich has arrived at the Illinois state senate, charged with trying to sell the seat vacated by Barack Obama when he became president. | |
| His request to speak shocked the Senate when it was announced on Wednesday. | His request to speak shocked the Senate when it was announced on Wednesday. |
| Mr Blagojevich, who denies wrongdoing, had earlier said he would not take any part in the trial. | Mr Blagojevich, who denies wrongdoing, had earlier said he would not take any part in the trial. |
| Since Mr Blagojevich was arrested last month, he has persistently denied the charges against him and has refused to resign. | Since Mr Blagojevich was arrested last month, he has persistently denied the charges against him and has refused to resign. |
| He says he is the victim of a political vendetta. | He says he is the victim of a political vendetta. |
| If he is found guilty of abusing his power he will be forced from office. Senators are expected to vote later on Thursday. | |
| FBI testimony | FBI testimony |
| Mr Blagojevich, a Democrat, was arrested in December and charged with soliciting bribes. CHARGES AGAINST BLAGOJEVICH Federal agents say Mr Blagojevich Tried to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actionsTried to use state funds for the private purpose of inducing the Tribune Company to fire Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of himTried to obtain personal financial benefits for himself in return for his appointment of a US senator Profile: Rod BlagojevichQ&A: The Blagojevich scandal | Mr Blagojevich, a Democrat, was arrested in December and charged with soliciting bribes. CHARGES AGAINST BLAGOJEVICH Federal agents say Mr Blagojevich Tried to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actionsTried to use state funds for the private purpose of inducing the Tribune Company to fire Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of himTried to obtain personal financial benefits for himself in return for his appointment of a US senator Profile: Rod BlagojevichQ&A: The Blagojevich scandal |
| The vote to impeach him was passed by 114 votes to one, although only 60 votes were needed for the motion to pass. | The vote to impeach him was passed by 114 votes to one, although only 60 votes were needed for the motion to pass. |
| The impeachment follows an investigation by a 21-member committee of Illinois legislators, which looked at testimony from FBI agents who wiretapped phone calls to and from the governor's office about who should fill President Obama's seat. | The impeachment follows an investigation by a 21-member committee of Illinois legislators, which looked at testimony from FBI agents who wiretapped phone calls to and from the governor's office about who should fill President Obama's seat. |
| It is alleged the conversations show that Mr Blagojevich was trying to use the seat to get himself or his wife a job. | It is alleged the conversations show that Mr Blagojevich was trying to use the seat to get himself or his wife a job. |
| The panel said the evidence showed Mr Blagojevich was not fit to be governor, and voted unanimously to proceed to an impeachment vote. | The panel said the evidence showed Mr Blagojevich was not fit to be governor, and voted unanimously to proceed to an impeachment vote. |