Blagojevich says 'simple truth' clears him

NEW YORK, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he's using different forums to proclaim innocence to claims he tried to sell a U.S. Senate seat.

Blagojevich, 52, impeached in January and facing a federal trial on corruption charges, said Tuesday on NBC's "Today" he has been falsely accused and lied about concerning events surrounding the appointment of a successor to President Barack Obama's seat in the U.S. Senate.

"When you're an honest person ... you want to tell the people who hired you (that) you didn't let them down," Blagojevich said while promoting his book, "The Governor."

Nothing in his conversations indicate he was trying to sell Obama's seat, Blagojevich said. Rather, he said, FBI-taped conversations were about seeking assurances from the Illinois Legislature that healthcare and jobs creation legislation would be considered if he named state Attorney General Lisa Madigan to fill the vacant seat. He said congressional and White House officials knew of the potential deal.

The tapes, portions of which federal officials released, were taken out of context, Blagojevich said, adding that he has tried to make the full tapes public.

"The very people who made those accusations are the ones who have gone to court to (prevent) the tapes aired in full," he said.

Publishing his memoirs in advance of the trial could be seen as a gamble, but he said he's trying to get his side of the story out.

"The simple truth will vindicate me," Blagojevich said. "If what I'm saying is true is true ... that somebody's lying here ... then something is seriously upside down."