Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich says accusations that he tried to sell an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat were the result of legal political discussions and what he calls "political horse trading."
Speaking Friday on NBC's "Today" show, Blagojevich said recorded conversations in which he speculated about getting a Cabinet job in exchange for the Senate appointment were simply him floating ideas with his lawyers and advisers.
Blagojevich repeated that prosecutors had been unable to prove corruption charges against him.
A federal jury deadlocked Tuesday on all but one of 24 charges against Blagojevich. He was convicted on a single count of lying to federal agents.
Prosecutors have pledged to retry the case as soon as possible.
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