Blagojevich fills in as radio talk host

CHICAGO, March 25 (UPI) -- Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Wednesday criticized his successor, warned of a tax hike and aired some inside-politics analysis as radio talk show host.

Blagojevich, who was impeached by the Illinois House of Representatives and removed from office by the state Senate in January, spent two hours taking phone calls and interviewing guests as fill-in host of the "Don Wade & Roma Morning Show" on WLS-AM.

He repeatedly took his successor, Gov. Pat Quinn, to task for proposing a 50 percent state income tax hike and read a list of "double-dipping" politicians who get more than one salary from various government entities.

Quinn, he said, struck a "back-room deal" with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, and Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, to "hijack" Blagojevich out of office so they could raise taxes.

Blagojevich, who was arrested by federal agents on a criminal complaint in December, repeatedly maintained his innocence of corruption allegations, including trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by U.S. President Barack Obama. He's expected to face a federal indictment within days, the Chicago Tribune said..

His guests included comedian D.L. Hughley and members of the Second City comedy troupe starring in the hit satirical musical "Rod Blagojevich Superstar."

Joey Bland, who plays Blago in the show, invited the ex-governor to see the show and thanked him "for selling lots of tickets."