CHICAGO – The federal racketeering indictment against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is all about money, and lots of it — including the big bucks he is accused of trying to collect selling or swapping President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.
The wide-ranging, 19-count indictment returned Thursday alleges the ousted governor hoped to get a lofty Cabinet post, substantial campaign cash or a high-paying job for his wife in exchange for the seat.
The indictment paints Blagojevich as intent on grinding out as much campaign cash as possible and filling his pockets — even if it meant committing extortion and fraud.
The refinancing of billions of dollars in state pension money was in play in a massive kickback scheme, the indictment says. It says his wife got thousands of dollars in unearned real estate fees and a $12,000-a-month spot on convicted fixer Tony Rezko's payroll.
Blagojevich, 52, who was impeached in January after the scandal boiled over, denied Thursday that he had done anything illegal.
"I'm saddened and hurt but I am not surprised by the indictment," Blagojevich, who was in Walt Disney World with his family, said in a statement. "I am innocent. I now will fight in the courts to clear my name."
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