Rod Blagojevich Attorneys Sam Adam Sr., Jr. Released from Retrial

Rod Blagojevich Trial Extended Coverage >>

Chicago - Friday a judge granted the request of two of Rod Blagojevich's top attorneys to be removed from the case.

Attorneys Sam Adam Sr. and Sam Adam Jr. filed motions to be removed from the former governor's defense team.

• Read the Adams' Motion (PDF) >>

Federal Judge James Zagel had the final say on whether they can leave, but released the father and son team from the retrial.

A campaign fund that paid for Blagojevich's defense is gone, so taxpayers will pay the bills in the retrial. The judge has ruled that Blagojevich can only have two lawyers and one paralegal on his team for the retrial, compared to the 14 attorneys and seven paralegals on his first defense team.

Attorneys Sheldon Sorosky and Aaron Goldstein will remain as Blagojevich's lead attorneys.

In their motion, the Adams said they still support the governor's interest and will continue to assist his case, but it was in everyone's best interest for them to leave the case.

The impeached governor was found guilty of one county of lying to the FBI this summer, but the jury could not reach verdict on 23 other counts.

He will be retried on those charges in January.