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Indian-Americans in Illinois row

— Photo: AP

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich at an Indian Independence Day parade in Chicago in 2003.

Chicago: Several eminent Indian Americans are linked to the corruption scandal involving Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s attempt to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, said a front page investigative report by the Chicago Tirbune.

Mr. Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI on Tuesday for allegedly negotiating with several politicians to nominate them for the Senate seat for monetary and material favour. He was let off on a $4,500 cash bond but the scandal has hogged headlines in the U.S.

Mr. Obama, who represented Illinois in the Senate before being elected President, resigned after the elections. The State Governor has the authority to nominate his replacement for the rest of the term.

The Chicago Tribune has named several Indian Americans — all based in Chicago — for holding negotiations on behalf of U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr with Mr. Blagojevich over the seat. Mr. Jackson has been named as “Senate Candidate 5” in the FBI charge sheet against the Illinois Governor. The Indian American supporters of Mr. Jackson, the newspaper said, promised to hold a fundraiser for the Illinois Governor for his re-election bid and raise more than $1 million in lieu of the Senate seat.

Meanwhile, the top law enforcement officer in Illinois filed a motion on Friday with the State’s highest court to strip Mr. Blagojevich of his powers.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan said the allegations had left him incapable of effectively governing the State. — Agencies

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