Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was again on the hot seat Monday as the prosecution continued to grill him, often using his own taped words against him in the corruption trial.
Prosecutor Reid Schar continued to try and hammer away at Blagojevich's credibility and focused on the most serious charge, that the former governor tried to get a high-ranking appointment in Pres. Barack Obama's cabinet by naming someone such as Valerie Jarrett to the vacated Senate seat.
Schar played tapes in which Blagojevich discussed the Senate seat, but the ousted governor flatly denied he was trying to work a deal.
"I did not say I would exchange one for the other," Blagojevich said.
Schar was less animated in his cross-examination Monday and Blagojevich was also less combative on the stand, although at one point he did ignore his defense lawyer's objections, saying, "I want to answer that. Is that OK if I override my lawyers?" at which Judge Zagel replied "you've been doing it all along."
Blagojevich was also questioned about a race track bill that he's accused of holding up until he received a $100,000 campaign donation.
"I'm not going to cross any lines. One's not for the other, and that's what mattered to me," Blagojevich said.
The cross-examination continues on Tuesday.
Blagojevich faces 20 corruption counts, including attempted extortion and fraud.
