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Blago lawyers need more time to hear tapes

Posted August 18, 2009 11:00 pm

Associated Press

Attorneys for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich say they'll need three more weeks to listen to secret recordings that'll feature prominently at his corruption trial.

Federal prosecutors and defense lawyers attended a 10-minute status hearing Wednesday where Judge James Zagel asked how preparations for a trial were going. Blagojevich didn't attend.

FBI wiretap tapes of then-governor Blagojevich on the phone before his Dec. 9 arrest are a cornerstone of the federal case.

Blagojevich is charged with scheming to sell or trade President Obama's U.S. Senate seat and plotting to use political muscle to squeeze possible donors for campaign cash. He's denied any wrongdoing.

The next status hearing is set for Sept. 22. A trial isn't expected to start until next year.

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