Blagojevich's book coming out Sept. 8

As he awaits a trial on corruption charges, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich has apparently finished a memoir expected to paint him as innocent.

Blagojevich and his wife have set up a media tour to promote the book, "The Governor," starting Sept. 8 that will include stops at NBC's "Today" show and ABC's "The View," where the governor got his hair famously messed up by a host while he was facing impeachment.

Blagojevich's publicity agent, Glenn Selig, said in a release Friday that the book, "gives a firsthand account of what's happened and it's truly eye-opening."

A picture provided by Selig of the book's cover says, "Finally the truth behind the political scandal that continues to rock the nation."

Blagojevich is facing charges of selling off taxpayer-funded contracts and other state perks for campaign cash and personal enrichment, a conspiracy that is alleged to have begun even before he won election under a banner of reform. He replaced Gov. George Ryan, who now sits in prison after a corruption conviction.

Chief among the allegations by federal investigators is that Blagojevich tried to trade an appointment to the Senate for a lucrative job for his wife or himself after he expected to leave office. Federal investigators had bugged his campaign office and the phones of several of his closest advisers.

The governor has denied any wrongdoing, but he has always refused to address specific allegations against him.

Since he was run out of office following an impeachment in January, Blagojevich has taken to the air waves on a Sunday radio show and was even seen impersonating Elvis at a corporate party to make money. Wife Patti appeared on a reality TV show where she had to eat a tarantula and live in the jungle.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed a measure into law this month aimed at preventing Blagojevich from profiting from his alleged crimes. The law allows the attorney general to sue to recover any profits from book deals, movies, television programs or other projects traceable to illegal activities committed while holding office.