Prosecutors moving to dismiss some Blagojevich charges

Posted:

CHICAGO (AP) -- Federal prosecutors are moving to dismiss several charges against Rod Blagojevich.

Prosecutors Wednesday told U.S. District Judge James Zagel they seek to dismiss racketeering and wire fraud counts against the former Illinois governor to streamline the case.

Zagel didn't immediately rule on the motion.

Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky says the move by prosecutors demonstrate 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 Barack 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 of lying to the FBI.

Blagojevich's lawyers have recently filed motions seeking to have several corruption charges thrown out.

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