U.S. Edition
(CNN) - The embattled former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich is using a new medium to declare his innocence as his federal criminal trial gets underway.
The Democrat is now on Twitter, CNN has confirmed.
Blagojevich, who was removed from office by the state legislature in January 2009, is now facing criminal corruption charges.
Authorities have accused Blagojevich and his inner circle of a near-constant conspiracy of extortion and kickbacks after his 2002 election.
He has repeatedly denied any suggestion of wrongdoing.
On Twitter, Blagojevich goes by the handle @governorrod and Blagojevich spokesman Glenn Selig confirmed to CNN that the account belongs to the former governor.
In the bio on his Twitter profile page Blagojevich proclaims that he's "innocent of all charges" and requests that users of the popular microblogging service to "Follow my campaign to clear my name."
Opening statements in Blagojevich's trial are set to begin Tuesday. The trial could feature White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett. Both have been subpoenaed as witnesses in the case, according to a senior administration official.
"[L]ooking forward to opening statements because that will unlock the truth... stay tuned," Blagojevich tweeted Monday.
Related: Source: Administration officials subpoenaed in Blagojevich trial
Here's what I know about Chicago – If it looks like it's from Chicago, and it smells like it's from Chicago, and it engages in politics like it's from Chicago, then it will probably only serve 1 term as President.
Who's this Blagojevich guy?
Can't they put a gag order on him or better yet, just a gag? Just a thought.
I'm still trying to understand the difference between what Gov. Rod did and what the Whitehouse has been doing? Campaign funding of private monies for a political position versus taxpayer monies for a government position for a political favor of stepping out of a political race. Seems to me that giving away taxpayer dollars is worse than fleecing down some sleaze bag politician looking to get on the DC gravy train....
Watergate II, after the November elections it will soon to be playing in a courtroom near you!
Just get ready a cell is waiting for you.
I hope you have fun on Twitter because nothing you say will matter to the media......they have already tried and convicted you. They have a bad habit of doing that.
This guy seriously needs to get a life and stop pointing the finger on everyone except himself. Can you say denial?
Who cares? You were FIRED!
This trial is the key to Obama's impeachment. Keep a close eye indeed.
Blogo is just another sleazy Chicago politician and a poster boy of the sewer that spawned Barry Bozo, Emanuel and Axelrod.
I wonder if the warden will let him tweet between shifts when he starts making license plates for the State of IL! LOL
Well! He knows how to open up a computer!
Good thing he went on Celebrity Apprentice to learn something.
Just Blago away!
Slimy, sleazy, corrupt, backdoor deals...... Good job on "changing" the culture Obama! Instead, him and his ilk are making it worse then ever.
Chicago Politics – Have seen plenty since Obama took office. This is just another episode of "Obama Knows Best". How long can big "G" keep pretending "We Know Nothing"?
Do we still appreciate innocent until proven guilty in this country? I mean, the guys SEEMS like a sleazeball but until all of the facts are brought to light, how can the people on these posts say for sure one way or another? Because of the power of the media, the guy has had his name smeared across every newspaper and will never have the opportunity to serve the American people again - even if he is acquitted.
FOX News has proved time and time again that all they have to do for their audience is put out "alleged" crimes and their viewers convict those in question immediately without waiting for due process that they would rightly demand if it was them being accused of a crime. C'mon people lets give him the benefit of the doubt before we condemn this man without knowing all of the facts.
This guy was elected, twice. That speaks volumes about the Republicants that ran against him.
It seems to me that another Chicago-raised crookster – Dan Rostenkowski didn't make all the fuss that Blago is making. Rosty just stepped down, pleaded to a lesser charge, did his 17 months and became a private citzen. And unlike Blago, a lot of his collegues were doing the same thing he was. That boyish hairstyle Blago has suits him...what a little turd!
you guys are so right. chicago politics is ruining this country. i remember back in the day under george bush how everything was great. there were no scandals or anything. it was all just so perfect.
signed
Duke Cunningham, Scooter Libby and Larry Craig
sponsored by Haliburton and BP
That should read exgovernorrod!