Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has soundly rejected a request that the state pay for Gov. Rod Blagojevich's defense attorneys.
Blagojevich's attorneys filed the request Tuesday with Madigan's office and with the House committee that is deciding whether to go forward with impeachment proceedings. Both rejected his request.
"It is absurd to suggest that taxpayers must finance the defense of a criminal action against Governor Blagojevich who is accused of corruptly betraying the public trust for personal and financial gain," a release from Madigan's office said.
In a letter to attorney Ed Genson, the Attorney General said that her job is to prosecute "criminal matters on behalf of the people of Illinois," and that she has "no constitutional or statuatory duty to defend any individual in a criminal case."
