Judge Allows Blagojevich to Use Campaign Funds to Pay Defense Expenses

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By WEEK Producer

Story Published: Jul 11, 2009 at 5:43 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 11, 2009 at 7:22 PM CDT

Former Governor Rod Blagojevich is going to get to use some of his campaign funds to pay his lawyers.

The judge presiding over the ousted governor's corruption case approved the release of more than 78-thousand dollars from his campaign coffers. The money will go towards paying for his lawyers and to buy office equipment for the lawyers.

When the case started, Blagojevich had about two-point-three million dollars in campaign funds.

The judge felt that if he had not released the funds, the federal government would have to come up with the money to pay Blagojevich's legal expenses.

Wednesday, Dec 23 at 2:11 PM SPIDER wrote ...

Great idea... when the crooked politicians run for office they can have two funds, one for the campaign and one for their defense...in Illinois it should be automatic...

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Friday, Dec 4 at 6:08 PM Typical wrote ...

Yeah, I am so glad that not only did my tax dollars help him live more cush than me but when he gets busted my tax dollars are going to help him remain a lavish lifestyle. I'd rather see my money pay for his butthole surgery after prison.

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Friday, Jul 17 at 2:47 PM Gene wrote ...

If I was charged with a crime I would do every thing in my power to get out of, but not ask tax payer to pay for it. He screwed us once don't give him the second chance.

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Wednesday, Jul 15 at 1:02 PM Jo Ann wrote ...

I didn't know campaign funds could be used for lawyers after you have commited a crime. Give that money back to the state to help the deficit that Blagovich caused this state. And maybe they should use his wife's money from her TV debut in I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. Since when is she a celebrity?

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Sunday, Jul 12 at 8:44 PM Gene wrote ...

That money should of been put in some kind of earning bearing account and he could only use the interest money, use his own money for his defence. The crook should get no help from the tax payer

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Sunday, Jul 12 at 3:23 PM EDD wrote ...

It wouldn't surprise any one in the state of Illinois if the Judge was a crook as well. He lives in good old Crooksville. I think its time to clean house up state and get rid of all of them. I am sick of my tax dollars going to Chicage. It was a Chicago company that stold my job.

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Saturday, Jul 11 at 8:53 PM Bob wrote ...

I say take all his money. He took it from us in the first place. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw the sears tower in Chicago.

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Saturday, Jul 11 at 8:51 PM what a crock wrote ...

this is real nice. if a politician commits a crime, they can make others (people who make donations) pay for it? real nice. my political donation days have just come to screaching halt.

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