Blagojevich to resume testifying for 3rd day

[May 31, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is set to return to the witness stand for a third day Tuesday at his political corruption retrial, which is now heading into its fifth week of testimony.

Blagojevich is getting closer to addressing the most notorious allegation he faces, that he sought to sell or trade President Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat in exchange for campaign donations or a high-profile job.

His explanation of what he may have meant in conversations -- secretly recorded by the FBI -- about benefiting from his power to appoint someone to the seat has been much-anticipated. But it may have to wait a day or two more.

Blagojevich, who denies any wrongdoing, is expected to talk more Tuesday about allegations that he attempted to shake down executives for campaign donations by threatening state decisions that could hurt their businesses.

During his first two days on the stand, Blagojevich spoke about his rise from a working-class Chicago kid to becoming governor. During his testimony Friday, the focus was on a charge that he tried to squeeze a racetrack owner for money.

But there are other accusations that he hasn't spoken about in depth: His alleged bid to pressure a children's hospital CEO for political donations and a similar alleged squeeze on a roadway-construction executive.

Addressing those charges are likely to take up two or three more days of testimony by Blagojevich, defense attorney Aaron Goldstein told the presiding judge last week.

Prosecutors, too, will get their chance to cross-examine the subject of their years-long investigation. That could also last for days.

Blagojevich, 54, faces 20 criminal counts, including attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud. If convicted on all counts, the maximum penalty is a 350-year prison term, though guidelines would suggest he get far less. Among the considerations a federal sentencing judge can factor in is whether a defendant lied on the witness stand.

In his first trial last year, Blagojevich was convicted of lying to the FBI.

[Associated Press; By MICHAEL TARM and KAREN HAWKINS]

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