Email
From Matt Jaffe in Chicago:
Minutes after the end of his meeting this evening with embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Chicago defense attorney Ed Genson proclaimed that the governor is not guilty, will not resign, and instead will fight the charges against him.
"He’s not stepping aside," Genson told reporters outside his Chicago office building. "He hasn’t done anything wrong. We’re going to fight this case."
As ABC News reported earlier today, Genson confirmed that he is now representing the governor.
When asked why, Genson replied, "Because it’s interesting. Because I think that this is another one of those cases where the press has just taken control and the media has taken control and I think the case is not what it seems and I think that when it comes to pass, you’ll see it’s not what it seems and you’ll find that he’s not guilty."
The swarm of reporters stated that even President-elect Barack Obama has called for Blagojevich to step down.
"Everybody has an agenda," Genson continued. "I don’t think the incoming president of the United States has anything to do with this case, but the media suggests that he has and as a result, it’s made the case a lot more important than I think it should be."
When asked if Blagojevich could get a fair trial, Genson responded, "We’ll see."
Blagojevich has not spoken to the press yet. He left Genson’s offices just before his attorney did, saying that he was looking forward to talking to the general public.
"I can’t wait to talk to you guys and to have a chance to be able to say the things I’m looking forward to saying," Blagojevich said. "But there’s a time and place for all of that and I’ll, uh, we’ll soon let you know when it’s gonna be."
Attorney Sheldon Sorosky, who represented Blagojevich at his court appearance after his arrest last week, exited the building alongside Genson.
"We hope he can get a fair trial," Sorosky said, noting that at the moment Blagojevich is "coping" with the situation.
Sorosky added that the governor can "absolutely" do his job effectively.