Ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich already has a sizable team of criminal defense attorneys working on his political corruption case.

Now, Chicago attorney Jay Edelson has been brought in to fight civil lawsuits being filed against Blagojevich.

In a telephone interview Tuesday, Edelson said he's taking the case free of charge because Blagojevich is facing serious legal issues and needs the help.

Among other cases, Edelson will be representing Blagojevich in a tug-of-war over $90 million that riverboat gambling casinos have paid into a state fund designed to subsidize Illinois racetracks.

The casinos contend they were forced to pay as the result of a corrupt deal.