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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Blagojevich 'did nothing wrong' | Blagojevich 'did nothing wrong' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The scandal-hit governor of the US state of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, has told his impeachment trial that he has "done nothing wrong". | The scandal-hit governor of the US state of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, has told his impeachment trial that he has "done nothing wrong". |
| He appeared before the Illinois state senate where he is charged with trying to sell the seat vacated by Barack Obama when he became president. | He appeared before the Illinois state senate where he is charged with trying to sell the seat vacated by Barack Obama when he became president. |
| Mr Blagojevich had earlier said he would not take any part in the trial. His request to speak shocked senators. | Mr Blagojevich had earlier said he would not take any part in the trial. His request to speak shocked senators. |
| He said no evidence had been presented that proved a crime had been committed. | |
| Mr Blagojevich, a Democrat, was arrested in December and charged with soliciting bribes. | |
| He told senators: "There is no evidence that shows there was any wrongdoing by me as governor." | |
| He expressed annoyance that he was not able to bring his own witnesses. | He expressed annoyance that he was not able to bring his own witnesses. |
| 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7773972.stm">Profile: Rod Blagojevich class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7806596.stm">Q&A: The Blagojevich scandal | |
| He said President Barack Obama's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel was one witness he would have liked to question, but rules prevented him from doing so. | |
| He appealed to senators to consider his position: "Think if you were innocent and rushed out of office." | He appealed to senators to consider his position: "Think if you were innocent and rushed out of office." |
| "A crime has not been proven. How can you throw a governor out of office with incomplete evidence?" he said. | |
| 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. | 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 |
| The impeachment motion was passed by 114 votes to one in the House of Representatives on 9 January, although only 60 votes were needed. | |
| 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. |