Extension sought in Blagojevich probe

CHICAGO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors asked a judge Wednesday for more time in their case against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to indict the governor and his chief of staff.

Prosecutors' request for a 90-day extension wasn't opposed by defense lawyers, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

In their filing, prosecutors also said they captured "thousands of phone calls" between October and December of 2008 and that their investigation included confidential witnesses. The conversations were recorded after tapping Blagojevich's home phone, the cell phone of former aide Lon Monk and from two wiretaps in the governor's campaign office.

Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on a federal criminal complaint accusing him corruption, including an allegation of trying to peddle President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat. Once Blagojevich was arrested, prosecutors had 30 days to indict so the case can proceed to trial, but seeking an extension is a common practice.

The prosecutors' filing also indicated others may be charged in the investigation into the governor's administration.