Lawyers say Blago won't testify at trial

CHICAGO, July 21 (UPI) -- Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Wednesday went back on a promise he made when he was first indicted for corruption: He decided against testifying.

Blagojevich, who is accused of attempting to leverage his power as governor for personal gain and campaign contributions, told U.S. District Judge James Zagel he would take his attorneys advice and keep silent in court.

"Yes, judge, (I understand) fully and completely," Blagojevich said. "It is my decision, under the advice of my attorneys. I make the decision fully and voluntarily."

The decision came despite repeated statements by Blagojevich outside court that he was eager to testify to refute government charges, one of which was an allegation he attempted to sell President Barack Obama's old Senate seat to the highest bidder.

With that, defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky rested the defense case without calling a single witness. The prosecution then decided against presenting any rebuttal evidence and rested as well. Closing arguments tentatively were scheduled for Monday. Procedural issues were on the docket for Wednesday.

In a statement in the lobby of the Dirksen Federal Building following the morning court session, Blagojevich told reporters he and his lawyers decided there was no need to put on a defense case because "the government proved that I never took a corrupt dollar, that I never took a corrupt dime, that I never took a corrupt nickel, that I never took a corrupt penny."

Blagojevich said the government played tapes proving "I did nothing illegal," Blagojevich said, instead seeking the advice of lawyers and advisers.

"Yes they proved some of the ideas were stupid. But they also proved some of the ideas were good," Blagojevich said.

Blagojevich said he felt all along he was going to testify, but that was when the defense believed the government case would go on much longer and present many more witnesses. The prosecution, however, surprised the court last week and rested after little more than a month.

"There's nothing further for us to add," Blagojevich said, adding that the biggest lesson he has taken from the case is "I talk too much."

Sources told the Chicago Tribune the defense, Zagel and prosecutors discussed the situation during a lengthy sidebar out of earshot of jurors Tuesday, after which the judge told the defense team to consider the decision overnight.

Several factors went into the decision to reverse strategy, sources told the newspaper, including:

-- Blagojevich's lawyers indicated they thought prosecutors held back part of their case against their client to use against him in what promised to be a bruising cross-examination.

-- Defense attorneys also were operating under the belief that if Blagojevich testified, convicted fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who has cooperated with the government, likely would be called as a rebuttal witness. Sources said Rezko, who allegedly helped Blagojevich scheme to make money by leveraging the powers of his office, was notified that he could likely could be called on short order.