Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been arrested on multiple corruption charges, including allegations he tried to sell off President-elect Obama’s vacated Senate seat. The charges came out of a five-year investigation and months of wiretapped phone calls. Blagojevich is also accused of trying to blackmail the Chicago Tribune into firing editorial writers that had criticized him and withholding state funds from a children’s hospital until its chief executive made a $50,000 donation. Blagojevich’s chief of staff, John Harris, was also indicted. Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald announced the charges.

Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald: “This is a sad day for government. It’s a very sad day for Illinois government. Governor Blagojevich has taken us to a truly new low. Governor Blagojevich has been arrested in the middle of what we can only describe as a political corruption crime spree. We acted to stop that crime spree.”

Fitzgerald says there’s no evidence President-elect Obama had any contact with Blagojevich’s office or knowledge of his scheme. Obama said he is saddened for the state of Illinois.

President-elect Obama: “Like the rest of people of Illinois, I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US attorney’s office today. But as this is an ongoing investigation involving the governor, I don’t think it will be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this time.”