CHICAGO (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has taken the stand at ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s retrial.
The defense said Wednesday that Jackson would testify that he never offered or directed anyone to offer campaign contributions for the Senate seat being vacated by President Barack Obama.
The Chicago Democrat’s not accused of any wrongdoing in the case.
But his reputation took a hit after testimony that fundraisers close to him allegedly offer to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Jackson to be appointed to the seat.
Among the charges Blagojevich faces at the retrial is that he sought to sell or trade Obama’s old seat for campaign cash or a top job.
Blagojevich denies any wrongdoing.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
