White-Collar Crime
Broke Blagojevich Looks for a New Lead Defense Lawyer
Posted Feb 10, 2009, 02:08 pm CST
By Martha Neil
When Chicago attorney Sam Adam was asked recently by a television crew why fellow counsel Ed Genson was planning to leave the legal defense team for now-former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Adam pointed a finger to his head and replied: "Cuckoo."
The comment, which reiterated Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's use of the word when referring to Blagojevich, was intended to be a joke, Adam says. But Genson apparently didn't find it amusing, reports the Associated Press.
As federal prosecutors gather their forces for a massive criminal indictment expected by April 7 against Blagojevich, he only has one official lawyer remaining on his team, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. That is Sheldon Sorosky, a longtime friend.
Jenson, who had complained earlier that Blagojevich wasn't listening to him, isn't interested in returning to the team, attorney Michael Ettinger, who is helping the ex-governor find new counsel, tells the AP.
And Adam isn't officially signed on either, although it isn't clear that he has dropped off the case, according to the Sun-Times.
The governor and his wife met over the weekend with various legal eagles, but a lack of finances isn't making the task any easier, the newspaper writes: "It's no secret the former first family is broke. And Blagojevich's once-bountiful campaign fund is under scrutiny by federal authorities."
Nonetheless, it appears that there is no shortage of well-known Chicago defense lawyers willing to take on the high-profile case. Among them is Tom Breen, who has been in the news lately representing defendants in organized crime and municipal corruption cases.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: "Ill. Gov. to Boycott His Own Impeachment Trial, Frustrated Attorney Quits"
ABAJournal.com: "Illinois Gov’s Unique Impeachment Trial Takes a New Turn"
Associated Press: "Ousted Illinois governor's next fight is in court"
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