Gov. Blagojevich Meets With Criminal Attorney
Governor's spokesman says there is "zero chance" he will resign Monday.
CHICAGO Dec. 13, 2008— -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich spent much of today holed up with a high-profile lawyer as his spokesman said there was "zero chance" that the governor is about to resign.
Criminal attorney Ed Genson does not usually take on clients who intend to plead guilty. He tells ABC News he has yet to decide whether he will represent the governor.
His recent roster includes media mogul Conrad Black, who was sentenced to prison for defrauding his company, and R & B singer R. Kelly, who beat charges that he had sex with a minor.
Blagojevich faces a litany of federal corruption charges, among them attempting to sell President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder.
The Chicago Tribune reported today that the man Obama named to be his White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel did speak with the governor's office about Obama's replacement, but there was no evidence he knew of any deal making.
As calls for Blagojevich's ouster grow louder, the governor is saying little. He told reporters gathered outside Genson's office today that he was hurrying off to his daughter's recital, but wouldn't comment on his legal or political situation.
Blagojevich's spokesman Lucio Guerrero scoffed at rumors that the governor was prepared to resign on Monday. But he left open the possibility that he might resign later.
"Absolutely not true," Guerrero told ABC News. "There is zero chance of that... I know for sure not Monday."
The spokesman added, "I'm sure when his attorney says you need to resign, he will, but he hasn't said that and it's definitely not Monday."
Aside from resignation, there is really no quick or simple way to oust a sitting governor.
On Monday, the Illinois Legislature will meet in special session to consider the unprecedented process of impeachment. That could take months, so state Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who was also named as a contender for Obama's former Senate seat, asked the state Supreme Court to strip the disgraced governor of his power.
"This is an extraordinary request, but these are extraordinary circumstances," Madigan said.
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