Blagojevich pleads innocent

CHICAGO, April 14 (UPI) -- Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich pleaded innocent Tuesday in federal court in Chicago at his arraignment on criminal corruption charges.

Blagojevich, indicted on 16 criminal counts including racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud, appeared before U.S. District Judge James Zagel.

Blagojevich, arrested Dec. 9 and removed from office by the Illinois Legislature in January, was indicted in early April in a federal corruption case that includes charges he sought to barter his appointment power for campaign contributions and other favors.

Also appearing was Blagojevich's brother, Robert, the former chairman of the governor's campaign fund who also was indicted April 2.

The court appearance lasted about 15 minutes, WLS-TV, Chicago reported.

Blagojevich, dressed in a pin-stripped suit, shook hands with passersby as he entered the Dirksen Federal Building, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Three other people charged in the case -- Springfield, Ill., power broker William Cellini, former Blagojevich Chief of Staff John Harris and key fundraiser Christopher Kelly -- were to be arraigned Thursday.