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Patti Blagojevich speaks out for the first time

By WEEK Reporter
February 28, 2012 Updated Feb 29, 2012 at 10:35 AM CDT

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Patti Blagojevich, the wife of the convicted ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich, has broken her silence.

During a one-on-one interview, Illinois' former First Lady talked about the night her husband was arrested in their home, saying she thought it was a joke when she heard someone announce they were the FBI.

Despite two trials and numerous convictions, Patti Blagojevich maintains her husband's innocence.

"So much of this case is about intent, what was his intent. They can say whatever they want. I know what his intentions were, and I know he took the trust people put in him seriously and honestly and always wanted to live up to that trust," said Blagojevich.

At one point during the interview, Patti Blagojevich was reduced to tears as O'Donnell offered her advice, urging her and Rod Blagojevich to talk directly with their two daughters and to come to terms with his prison sentence.

Rod Blagojevich has to report to a Federal prison on March 15.

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