Illinois Governor claims innocence, vows to fight till his last breath

Washington, Dec 20 (ANI): Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has declared that he will "fight" until his last breath, defending himself for the first time since his arrest last week on federal corruption charges.

A defiant Blagojevich told reporters in Chicage that he is innocent and he is certain, after battling the charges, he will be "vindicated."

"I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I'm not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong," FOX News quoted Blagojevich, as saying.

Prosecutors have accused Blagojevich of, among other things, trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder.

The state's attorney general, Lisa Madigan, tried to remove Blagojevich from office when she asked the Illinois Supreme Court to declare him unfit. But the high court refused to hear the case.

In his statement, Blagojevich put to rest any rumors that he is considering resignation.

The Illinois Republican Party called any statement by Blagojevich that didn't include a resignation "unacceptable."

"For the good of the people, Rod Blagojevich should resign from office immediately and spare voters any more heartache than he's already caused," Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Blagojevich's attorney has said that the Governor would not appoint a replacement to fill Obama's Senate seat. (ANI)