RCFL: Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory

8/30/10: A New Chapter Begins—Blagojevich Faces January 2011 Retrial

Federal prosecutors will retry former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich in January 2011 after Judge James. B. Zagel declared a mistrial in the public corruption case. The Chicago RCFL will continue providing digital forensics support for the investigation.

A jury found Mr. Blagojevich guilty on one

charge of lying to federal agents which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. However, they deadlocked on the other 23 counts, which led to a mistrial. Robert Blagojevich, the governor’s brother, was acquitted of the four charges against him; therefore, the ex-Governor will go on trial alone.

During the first trial, Mr. Blagojevich tapped into campaign funds to pay his legal fees, but his circumstances will change come January, when his legal team goes from seven to two attorneys — public funds are covering his legal expenses. The charges against Mr. Blagojevich remain the same — he is accused of seeking lucrative jobs or cash in exchange for an appointment to the Senate seat left vacant by President Barack Obama.

Mr. Blagojevich continued to take to the airwaves to declare his innocence — his second trial is scheduled to begin the week of January 4, 2011.

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