blagojevich indictment

federal grand jury indicts former Governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges.

Federal prosecutors announced the indictment Thursday night in a press release.

Blagojevich, his brother Robert, and four others are named in the indictment, accused of corruption involving billions of dollars in state pension bonds.

The 19 count indictment contains new charges and alleges that Blagojevich and Alonzo Monk, along with Christopher Kelly and convicted felon Tony Rezko, agreed that they would use the offices of Governor and Chief of Staff for financial gain, which would be divided among them with the understanding that the money would be divided up after Blagojevich left public office.

Other than the wire taps its not clear what kind of evidence US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has, but legal experts say they wouldn't bet against him.

Reactions to ex-Ill. Gov. Blagojevich's indictment

Reaction from Illinois' elected officials and state residents to the federal indictment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich:

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"I'm saddened and hurt but I am not surprised by the indictment. I am innocent. I now will fight in the courts to clear my name. I would ask the good people of Illinois to wait for the trial and afford me the presumption of innocence that they would give to all their friends and neighbors." — Blagojevich.

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"We can only hope the former governor will not view this indictment as a green light for another publicity tour. Rod Blagojevich deserves his day in court, but the people of Illinois deserve a break." — U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

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"The indictment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich today serves as a stark reminder that enormous reforms are needed in our state." — Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross.

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"Most people I associate with who had any opinion about it, including myself, were irritated with the way he did things, the way he appeared to do things. We pretty much cheered when he was arrested." — John Olsson, a 47-year-old farmer from New Berlin. A Republican, he never voted for Blagojevich.

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"It is reassuring to see that our justice system works, but there is no joy in this indictment. Rod Blagojevich has decimated our state. And regardless of what happens to the former governor, Illinois residents will be paying for his time in office for generations to come." — Judy Baar Topinka, the Republican gubernatorial candidate defeated by Blagojevich in 2006.

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"I think if they make an example out of him, hopefully this curtails some of the corruption that's going on in our city and our state." — Bernie Puralewski, a 62-year-old Aurora resident who works as a manager at a Chicago hobby shop.

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"As this case moves forward, perhaps now we can close this book and begin to write a new one that speaks to the breadth of who the people of Illinois are and what they seek in the people they send to public office — honesty, integrity, truthfulness, vision and leadership." — U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill.

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"In 2002, when Democrats came to power, we were promised this day would never happen again, but today's indictment coupled with their decision to support Rod Blagojevich for six years proves those promises were merely empty rhetoric in order to obtain and keep political power." — Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna.

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"Rod Blagojevich was elected and then re-elected governor based on the promise that he would reform and renew state government, but his government was more like an overloaded, malfunctioning sewage system. Now, it's up to the elected leaders in Springfield to respond to the demands of the citizens of Illinois and clean up this mess." — Cynthia Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.

"Honestly, when I listened to him the very first time he ran, he really seemed like he does want to make a difference, that he's for the people of Illinois. The second time I said no way, he's a crook." _ Linda Dowdy, a 59-year-old tavern manager from Belleville and lifelong Democrat.

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