Former Illinois governor pleads not guilty

August 27th, 2009 Wash. robber pleads not guilty in prison attackSEATTLE — A former Army Ranger who led a terrifying takeover-style bank holdup has pleaded not guilty to new charges — that he tried to kill a fellow robber behind bars. Luke E. Sommer, 22, entered the plea Thursday to charges of assault with intent to commit murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

August 26th, 2009 Sixth person pleads guilty to passport snoopingWASHINGTON — A sixth person who worked at the State Department has pleaded guilty to sneaking a peek at celebrity passport files. Former State Department employee Karal Busch admitted Wednesday that, out of curiosity, she illegally looked at more than 64 passport applications submitted by famous Americans.

August 17th, 2009 Fifth person pleads guilty to passport snoopingWASHINGTON — A fifth State Department worker has been convicted of snooping into the passport files of famous Americans. Kevin Young, a 22-year veteran of the State Department from Temple Hills, Md., pleaded guilty Monday to illegally accessing more than 125 confidential passport applications for celebrities, professional athletes and a politician.

August 13th, 2009 ExxonMobil pleads guilty to killing birdsWASHINGTON — Exxon Mobil Corp. pleaded guilty to killing migratory birds in five states, and will pay about $7,000 for each bird killed, Justice Department officials said Thursday.

August 13th, 2009 Accused nude doorbell ringer pleads not guiltyREDWOOD CITY, Calif. — A 6-foot-7-inch, 250-pound man who allegedly appeared nude at people's homes and rang their doorbells is being held on $60,000 bail after pleading not guilty to a series of misdemeanor and felony charges.

July 10th, 2009 Fourth person pleads guilty to passport peekingWASHINGTON — The investigation into who snooped into confidential passport files of famous Americans has resulted in a fourth criminal conviction. Twenty-seven-year-old William Celey of Washington pleaded guilty Friday to unauthorized computer access.

June 18th, 2009 Pellicano pleads not guilty to LA reporter threatsLOS ANGELES — Former Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano has pleaded not guilty to threatening a Los Angeles Times reporter who wrote about one of his high-powered clients. Pellicano and the man he allegedly hired to threaten journalist Anita Busch both pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Los Angeles to conspiracy and making criminal threats.

May 5th, 2009 Man pleads guilty to e-mail threat against ObamaDENVER — A Texas man has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill President Barack Obama and blow up the Mall of America in Minneapolis. Timothy Ryan Gutierrez pleaded guilty on Monday to a charge of making threats by e-mail.

April 15th, 2009 LOS ANGELES - The US governor ousted from office after allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat vacated when Barack Obama was elected president has been cast in a popular reality TV show, according to the Hollywood Reporter Wednesday. Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who pleaded not guilty Tuesday to racketeering and fraud charges, is hoping to take part in the NBC summer reality series, 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' However since he is facing trial he needs court approval to take part because the show will be shot in Costa Rica and he is not allowed to leave the US.

March 26th, 2009 CHICAGO - Ousted Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who was accused of trying to sell US President Barack Obama's senator seat, hit Chicago's air waves with his first gig as a radio talk show host. Hosting a morning programme on the local WLS 890-AM Wednesday, Blagojevich took calls and had celebrity guests on the phone.

March 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Brit soul singer Amy Winehouse, 25, pleaded "not guilty" to a charge of assault during a London courtroom hearing. The singer, who stated her name as Amy Jade Civil, had very little to say during the 15-minute hearing in the City of Westminster Magistrates Court on March 17, reports People magazine.

January 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The governor of US state Illinois Rob Blagojevich was thrown out of office Thursday by the state legislators based on criminal corruption charges that included a plot to sell US President Barack Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder. The Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to convict and remove Blagojevich from the post.

January 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was thrown out of office Thursday by state legislators on criminal corruption misconduct charges that included a plot to sell President Barack Obama's vacated US Senate seat to the highest bidder. The Illinois Senate's 59 members voted unanimously to convict and remove Blagojevich from the post.

January 26th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The Illinois Senate Monday began the impeachment trial of Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested last month for trying to sell President Barack Obama's vacant US Senate seat. Blagojevich, 52, was impeached by the state's House of Representatives earlier this month.

January 9th, 2009 CHICAGO - Impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who is accused of trying to sell the US Senate seat vacated by president-elect Barack Obama, vowed to fight every step of the way. Blagojevich said he wasn't surprised by the impeachment vote.