The last time Blagojevich went to court, U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel told Blagojevich he could not be on a reality show and said it would be in the former governor's best interest to start working with his legal team on a defense. At issue- who would represent Blagojevich and how would they get paid.
On Monday, Judge Zagel cleared the way for Blagojevich to use his campaign money to pay legal fees. That may not please people who made political contributions to Blagojevich but it will lesson the burden on taxpayers who will most probably wind up paying for a portion of the former governor's defense. Using the campaign fund means his attorneys will be paid at the going rate for federal court appointed attorneys - $110 an hour.
"You're talking about a case that could last as long as six months," said Sheldon Sorosky, Blagojevich attorney.
Sorosky has been Blagojevich's attorney from the start. But who else is on the team? While they haven't signed on just yet, the father-son team of Sam Adam and Sam Adam junior were in court today saying they're four-square in the Blagojevich corner.
"I desire to be of any help I can to him. If that means that I'm a trial lawyer - fine. If that means I sit in a room and read documents - fine. If that means I bring him coffee -fine. That's how much I believe him. I've told you from day one - pay me, don't pay me - that's not my interest. My interest is what's best for Mr. Blagojevich. What's best for Rod. And if he thinks what's best for him is having me try the case then that's what I'll do," said Sam Adam Jr., defense attorney.
Adam junior was part of Blagojevich's legal team during the impeachment proceedings. They left that - calling it a rigged show- but if they sign on to the criminal case, they said they're in for the long haul.
"I got to know the former governor. He's a wonderful man. I'm very, very fond of him. It's like my son said, he's a personal friend. If we get in that be a large part of the impetus to get in his case because we really believe in his innocence," said Sam Adam, defense attorney.
The judge says the defense team can get the job done with three attorneys. The defense says it'd like at least one more because - as Sorosky says - there are close to 2 million documents to be read and over 500 hours of tapes that must be reviewed.
