30 January,2009 08:45 AM IST | | Agencies
The governor of the American state of Illinois Rod Blagojevich was thrown out of office today without a single lawmaker rising in his defence, ending a nearly two-month crisis that erupted with his arrest on charges he tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. Blagojevich becomes the first US governor in more than 20 years to be removed by impeachment.
After a four-day trial, the Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to convict him of abuse of power, automatically ousting the second-term Democrat. In a second, identical vote, lawmakers further barred Blagojevich from ever holding public office in the state again.
"He failed the test of character. He is beneath the dignity of the state of Illinois. He is no longer worthy to be our governor," said Senator Matt Murphy.
Blagojevich's troubles are not over. Federal prosecutors are drawing up an indictment against him on corruption charges.
Outside his Chicago home, Blagojevich vowed to "keep fighting to clear my name", and added, "Give me a chance to show you that I haven't let you down."
"I love the people of Illinois today more than I ever have before," he said.
Patrick Quinn, one of Blagojevich's critics, was promptly sworn in as governor.
Blagojevich (52) had boycotted the first three days of the impeachment trial, calling the proceedings a kangaroo court. But he went before the Senate to beg for his job, delivering a 47-minute plea that was, by turns, defiant, humble and sentimental.
He argued, again, that he did nothing wrong, and warned that his impeachment would set a "dangerous and chilling precedent".
