Despite Court-Ordered $110/Hour Limit, Ex-Ill. Gov's Legal Defense Bill is Likely to Top $3M
As former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich awaits trial this summer in a federal corruption case, a $2.8 million campaign fund is covering his legal bill.
But it’s a virtual certainty that it will be depleted before trial, observers tell the Chicago Sun-Times, even though U.S. District Judge James Zagel, who is overseeing the case, has limited attorney fees to $110 per hour.
State taxpayers are likely going to have to ante up at least another $500,000 or so, to cover the six lawyers and some two dozen experts and consultants who are working for the impeached ex-governor’s legal defense team.
Blagojevich is accused of having used his office as governor for personal gain, allegedly trying to barter off the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the election of President Barack Obama, among other claimed misconduct.
The pro bono representation of former Ill. Gov. Jim Ryan, who is now in prison, would have been billed out by Winston & Strawn at about $20 million, the firm’s former managing partner, Jim Thompson, one estimated. Thompson himself is a former Illinois governor, the newspaper notes.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Ex-Gov of Ill. Could Be Alone at Trial as Other Defendants Sprint for Exit”
ABAJournal.com: “US Plans to Revise Blago Charges to Avoid ‘Honest Services’ Problem”
ABAJournal.com: “I’ll Use Prosecution Tapes to Win My Case, Says Impeached Ex-Ill. Gov”
