Reid Subpoenaed in Blagojevich Corruption Trial
Updated: 10:54 a.m.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has received a subpoena in the corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), Reid’s office confirmed Thursday.
The subpoena was requested by Blagojevich’s attorneys, not the prosecutors. However, the Nevada Democrat may not actually have to testify, his spokesman Jim Manley said.
“Ex-Governor Blagojevich’s counsel contacted Senator Reid’s counsel regarding service of a subpoena related to Mr. Blagojevich’s pending trial, as he has apparently contacted many others. As a routine legal matter, Senator Reid’s attorney accepted service. This action does not mean that Senator Reid will testify at trial,” Manley said in an e-mail.
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has also received a subpoena for the trial, but the trial judge denied a defense request to issue a summons for President Barack Obama.
Presumably, Reid’s and Durbin’s testimony are being sought because of conversations the two men had with Blagojevich regarding the appointment of a replacement for Obama, who left his Senate seat open when he won the presidency in 2008. Blagojevich is charged with, among other things, attempting to sell Obama’s seat for campaign cash and political favors.