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Blagojevich's Criminal Defense Lawyer Quits

Rod Blagojevich's criminal defense attorney, well-known criminal defense attorney Ed Genson, said today he will withdraw from representing Blagojevich.

"I never require a client to do what I say," said Genson, who was accompanied by fellow Blagojevich lawyer Sheldon Sorosky. "But I do require them to at least listen."

"I wish the governor good luck and Godspeed," he added.

It sounds like Genson has not been kept in the loop, particularly with respect to a threatened civil suit Blago's other attorney, Sam Adams, said would be filed within a few days. [More...]

Defense attorney Samuel E. Adam told The Associated Press Thursday that a lawsuit could be filed with the Illinois Supreme Court within days, pending a final decision. But Genson told the Sun-Times no lawsuit would be filed.

There was a court hearing today in the criminal case. U.S. Attorney Patric k Fitzgerald received court approval to tender the tapes of four intercepted calls to the investigations unit of the legislature. Even though the House Report has been released, the investigation is ongoing.

U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald is allowing an FBI special agent to testify at Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment trial, though his testimony about the profanity-laced covert recordings obtained of the governor will be sharply limited, documents filed in the legislature this afternoon show.

David Ellis, the House prosecutor for the Senate impeachment trial, today notified senators that Fitzgerald will allow FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain to testify as to the accuracy of the secret recordings which federal authorities used to file criminal charges and arrest Blagojevich at his home on Dec. 9.

According to the court order issued today, available on PACER, the four calls pertain to paragraph 68(e) of the criminal complaint and are conversations of Blagojevich and other interceptees. It seems pretty clear from the pleadings filed to date, one of those interceptees is Blago's brother and another is "Lobbyist 1."

"Lobbyist 1" refers to himself as ""Unindicted, Unidentified Interceptee." His