Blago: I'm 'innocent of every single accusation'

Rod Blagojevich and his brother Robert pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering and fraud Tuesday, and the former Illinois governor once again vowed to clear his name.

"I have not let the people of Illinois down," the 52-year-old Rod Blagojevich told about 75 reporters and cameramen outside the Dirksen Federal Building.

Having recently completed a national media tour professing his innocence, he added, "We are not going to try this, with all due respect, in front of you people (the media)."

But how exactly the governor will try his case in court remains somewhat up in the air. His lawyer, Sheldon Sorosky, candidly told Judge James Zagel that he could not do it alone.

"This is a massive indictment," said Sorosky. "It's just not possible for one lawyer to adequately defend Mr. Blagojevich no matter who that lawyer is."

Sorosky said he's trying to work out an agreement with the government to release Rod Blagojevich's campaign funds to pay lawyers, but asked for a status hearing in a week in case the government does not agree to that.

Blagojevich, a Democrat from Chicago, does have money in his Friends of Rod Blagojevich campaign fund. But prosecutors have put defense attorneys on notice they will ask Zagel to order the campaign money forfeited if Blagojevich is convicted. Attorneys could be ordered to return their fees if they were paid from the campaign fund.

There has even been speculation that Blagojevich might have to turn to the federal defender's program if Zagel doesn't assure attorneys they can be paid through the campaign fund.

In contrast, former governor George Ryan was represented for free by powerhouse attorney Dan Webb and his mega-firm of Winston & Strawn. Ryan was convicted of corruption charges and is currently in prison.

Zagel agreed to let Rod Blagojevich remain free on his own recognizance and approved a similar bond for his brother. Others indicted in the alleged conspiracy - political insider William Cellini, Blagojevich fundraiser Christopher Kelly, and Blagojevich's former chief of staff John Harris - will be arraigned Thursday. Former Deputy Governor Lon Monk will be arraigned next week. Monk and Harris are cooperating with the government.

Blagojevich is charged with trying to auction off the U.S. Senate seat, planning to squeeze money from companies seeking state business and plotting to use the financial muscle of the governor's office to pressure the Chicago Tribune to fire editorial writers who had called for his impeachment.

Cellini and Kelly are accused of other misdeeds, including arranging to trade government contracts and regulatory approvals for campaign donations.

Blagojevich stopped outside the courthouse to pose with an onlooker who asked a reporter to take his picture with the governor. Another onlooker shouted, "Five 'em hell, Governor!"

Penned in by the mass of reporters, it took Blagojevich several minutes to travel just a few feet from the courthouse door to a waiting black SUV.

Daily Herald news services contributed to this report.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <div class="moreSubHead"> Video</div> <ul class="video"> <li><a href=" http://video.ap.org/?t=By%20Section/U.S.&g=0414dv_blago_arraign&f=ilarl ">Raw Video: Blagojevich Arrives for Arraignment </a></li> </ul> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/packages/2008/blagojevich/">Complete coverage </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>