Blogojevich convicted

Rod Blagojevich has been ousted as Illinois governor after being convicted of abusing his powers.



Mr. Blagojevich said he was saddened and disappointed by the verdict but not surprised and that he would fight to clear his name.



He was charged with trying to sell the seat vacated by Barack Obama when he was elected president.



In a second vote, Mr. Blagojevich was banned from holding public office in Illinois for life.



He had been arrested in December and faces a criminal trial over bribes allegedly taken during his two terms.



No other Illinois governor has been impeached, let alone convicted in a Senate trial.