Blagojevich Was Acting on Advice From Counsel: Defense

In a motion filed this afternoon, attorneys for Rod Blagojevich say they will establish that the former governor "did not honestly, and in good faith, believe his acts and conduct, nor his intent, were illegal."

They say Blagojevich will prove that through his own testimony, and that of people who gave him advice, including his lawyers.

They cite a court ruling, Ratzlaf versus the United States, which found, "Specific intent to commit the crimes might be negated by proof that the defendant relied in good faith on the advice of counsel."

In animation signed by Rod Blagojevich himself, attorney Sam Adam writes that the former governor will present evidence that his attorneys advised him to act in a particular way, and that he did so, after giving his lawyer "complete and accurate information" about what he was doing.

Blagojevich's lawyers say they will prove that the governor "never discovered their advice was wrong," and never had a reason "to doubt their advice."

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