CHICAGO (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Wednesday moved to dismiss several charges against impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Prosecutors told U.S. District Judge James Zagel they sought to dismiss racketeering and wire fraud counts against the Blagojevich to streamline the case.
Judge Zagel didn’t immediately rule on the motion.
Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky said the move by prosecutors demonstrated they believe Blagojevich is innocent of those changes.
The 54-year-old Blagojevich faces an April 20 retrial on charges he tried to sell or trade an appointment to President Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat. He’s also accused of trying to shake down donors for campaign cash.
At his first trial, jurors deadlocked on all but one count — lying to the FBI.
Blagojevich’s lawyers recently have filed motions seeking to have several corruption charges thrown out.
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