Seventh Circuit Dismisses Blagojevich Motion

The Seventh Circuit has dismissed Rod Blagojevich's motion to delay the start of his trial. Blagojevich is charged, in part, with honest services fraud, a provision under scrutiny in a trio of cases currently pending before the Supreme Court. Blagojevich's counsel stated that if the Supreme Court throws out the law while the trial is in progress, they will move for a mistrial. Rejecting the motion, the Seventh Circuit explained that "it might give us pause" if "deprivation of honest services" were the only charge. "However, the defendants [Blagojevich and his brother] face additional charges." An appeal to the Supreme Court is expected.