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Blagojevich Finally Talks Senate Seat

By WEEK Producer
May 31, 2011 Updated May 31, 2011 at 11:07 PM CDT

On his third day on the witness stand, Rod Blagojevich started talking about allegations he wanted to trade a U.S. Senate nomination for money or advancement.

Blagojevich admitted that he "incessantly" talked about the Senate seat appointment in 2008. He told the jury that he wanted to trade appointing Lisa Madigan to the Senate for her father's backing of a legislative package.

He said that he relied on the judgment of his staff to keep everything
legal and aboveboard. He said, "I respected their judgment."

After the jury was dismissed, Blagojevich's lawyers were warned by Judge James Zagle about using a "my advisors said it was okay" defense.

Blagojevich is due back on the stand again Wednesday morning.

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