Pat Dollard | Young Americans

Blagojevich Lawyer Seeks to Subpoena Obama Aides

CHICAGO — An attorney for Gov. Rod Blagojevich has asked the Illinois House committee considering whether to impeach the governor to subpoena more than a dozen witnesses, including President-elect Barack Obama’s incoming chief of staff and a senior adviser.

State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie said Thursday that the House committee received a letter from Blagojevich attorney Ed Genson asking it to subpoena Rep. Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett and more than a dozen others, including Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Ms. Currie, the head of the committee, said she didn’t yet know what the committee’s response to Mr. Genson’s request would be. However, she noted that the U.S. Attorney’s office has already denied the panel’s request to interview a list of people named in the criminal complaint against Mr. Blagojevich.

There was no immediate response Thursday to calls seeking comment from Mr. Genson, the Obama transition team and Mr. Jackson.

Mr. Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 and charged with trying to sell Mr. Obama’s vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder. He has denied any wrongdoing.
(AP)