One year later, Blagojevich investigation moves slowly to trial

One year ago today, FBI agents knocked at Rod Blagojevich's North Side Chicago home and arrested him on federal corruption charges. Later that morning, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said the arrest was timed to halt a "political corruption crime spree" that would "make Lincoln roll over in his grave."

He released a snippet of taped phone transcripts depicting the then-governor of Illinois as a foul-mouthed and ruthless political deal maker out to sell a U.S. Senate appointment to the highest bidder, remove critical voices from newspaper editorial boards and generally exchange political favors for contributions.

Since that time, much has happened as the case moves toward a scheduled trial date next June, but one thing has not changed: Blagojevich has sought every opportunity on every media outlet to insist that he's innocent.

That extended into a Tuesday book signing for his autobiography, "The Governor: Finally, the Truth Behind the Political Scandal That Continues to Rock the Nation," at the University of Chicago Bookstore.

"I've been lied about. You've been lied to," he told reporters. "There's a simple truth here, that I have been falsely accused."

He continued to insist "the truth is in those tapes" and that he wants them heard in their entirety.

"I can't wait for my day in court. I'm going to testify, and I'm going to answer every question asked me," he said. "And I'm going to be vindicated."

As prosecutors planned to amend their indictment next month in expectation that the U.S. Supreme Court will alter the "honest services" statute central to the current case against Blagojevich - and to the corruption conviction against his predecessor as Illinois governor, George Ryan - he insisted it says something that his story has remained the same the past year, while the prosecution is now shifting its charges.

And, his approach has been consistent, if sometimes strange enough to draw the attention of talk-show audiences and the sting of late-night jokes.

First, Blagojevich ignored the brouhaha over the initial charges and tape snippets by holing up in his Ravenswood Manor home and at the governor's office in the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. Then, he appointed Roland Burris to the Senate seat, an appointment that somehow stood up in the face of outspoken criticism inside and outside the Senate, later currying public favor by saying he'd briefly considered Oprah Winfrey for the post.

When the General Assembly began impeachment proceedings, Blagojevich argued his case not in Springfield on the floor of the legislature but in New York City on numerous TV shows.

He stepped into one of those late-night stings on CBS' "Late Show With David Letterman" when he told Letterman, "I've been wanting to be on your show in the worst way for the longest time."

"Well, you're on in the worst way, believe me," Letterman replied.

Even after the state Senate removed him from office by a 59-0 vote on Jan. 29, that didn't quiet him. He was soon filling shifts as a guest host on all-talk WLS 890-AM. He tried to get on the reality TV show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here," but Judge James Zagel blocked him, agreeing that the shooting in Costa Rica constituted a flight risk and adding, "I don't think this defendant fully understands and I don't think he could understand... the position he finds himself in."

His wife, Patti, took his place, made herself a fan favorite and argued in his favor, repeating the line that he was falsely accused and working for the people.

A Chicago theater troupe lampooned him with the "Jesus Christ Superstar" takeoff "Rod Blagojevich Superstar," and Blagojevich even agreed to appear in that. He went on to take part in the next series of NBC's Donald Trump reality series "Celebrity Apprentice," although that won't air until after the new year.

There was tragedy when his chief fundraiser, Chris Kelly, considered a key witness in the case against him after accepting a guilty plea on corruption charges, committed suicide. Then there was the just plain bizarre, as when computers possibly containing evidence were recently stolen from the offices of Blagojevich's defense attorneys.

Along the way, he published "The Governor" in September through Phoenix Books in Beverly Hills, Calif. Unlike ex-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue," it never made The New York Times best-seller list, and it entered the week ranked 250,704 in sales on the Amazon Web site. Still, dozens of people lined up Tuesday to buy books and have them signed by Blagojevich.

One woman clapped for him as he entered the store. "Thank you," Blagojevich said. "God bless you, ma'am."

Inside, he played to the college students.

"I hate to admit, but I believe in grade inflation," he said, eliciting a delayed response of ironic laughter from those in line.

Even so, ironic or not - and some asked him to sign copies using the phrase "I've got this thing and it's bleeping golden" from the tapes - the students were for the most part respectful, and Blagojevich spent time with each, writing extensive notes on the title pages. He was there for more than three hours - including his 10-minute media session - and more than 75 people had their books signed before he left.

A year after his arrest, Blagojevich continued to hammer the theme that he's not going away unless he gets sent away - if then.

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