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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US prosecutors indict Blagojevich | US prosecutors indict Blagojevich |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Prosecutors in the US have indicted former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges. | Prosecutors in the US have indicted former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges. |
| Mr Blagojevich faces a series of allegations, including attempting to "sell" President Barack Obama's vacant seat in the US Senate. | |
| He was arrested late last year and removed from office in January for abusing his powers. | He was arrested late last year and removed from office in January for abusing his powers. |
| The former governor denies any wrongdoing. He is currently on holiday with his family in Florida. | The former governor denies any wrongdoing. He is currently on holiday with his family in Florida. |
| Mr Blagojevich faces charges including racketeering, conspiracy, wire fraud and making false statements to investigators. | |
| The 52-year-old Democrat had engaged in a "wide-ranging scheme to deprive the people of Illinois of honest government", prosecutors said. | |
| His brother, two former aides and two businessmen were also indicted by the federal grand jury. | |
| Mr Blagojevich was arrested on 9 December and accused of trying to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions. | |
| Investigators say he tried to use state funds to persuade the Tribune Company to fire Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of him. | |
| They also accuse him of trying to sell Mr Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder. | |
| Illinois senators voted 59-0 to remove him from power in January. |