FBI Tapes Played For Ill. Impeachment Trial

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois senators for the first time have heard FBI recordings of Gov. Rod Blagojevich that are part of a corruption investigation that led to his impeachment.

The prosecutor at the Democratic governor’s impeachment trial said Tuesday that the taped conversations reveal the governor talking with a lobbyist about how to get campaign contributions in exchange for signing legislation wanted by the horse-racing industry.

The recordings played Tuesday are just some of those made by the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office.

The U.S. attorney won’t release most of the tapes because that might interfere with his criminal investigation. But he’s allowed the impeachment trial to hear a few minutes on just one topic.

Blagojevich is boycotting the trial. He says it’s rules prevent him from offering a real defense, and he’s denied any wrongdoing.

By ANDREA ZELINSKI, Associated Press Writer

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)