Blago's legal fees at $2.6 million

Hey, Rod Blagojevich is a record breaker. Although to my knowledge, no one is keeping track of gubernatorial legal expenses.

The Chicago Sun-Times explains:

Since taking office in 2003, Gov. Blagojevich has spent a staggering $2.6 million out of his campaign fund on legal fees, with the lion's share going to pay criminal defense lawyers.

His most recent criminal-defense expenditures -- a $500,000 payment to the firm of high-profile lawyer Edward Genson and $100,000 to the firm of Sheldon Sorosky -- came Dec. 18, according to a campaign-finance report filed Tuesday night.

The governor also has paid nearly $1.8 million to the law firm of Winston & Strawn since December 2003, records show. About half of that -- $750,000 -- was spent July 15 to cover overdue bills.

The governor's legal costs reflect the heat of multiple federal investigations that began in 2003, court records indicate. The governor was arrested Dec. 9 and accused by federal prosecutors of trying to trade official government actions for campaign cash, jobs and other benefits.

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