Five Illinois congressmen are among a group of current and former lawmakers asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the appeal of imprisoned ex-governor Rod Blagojevich.
The politicians make it clear in their brief that they're not taking a position on Blagojevich's guilt or innocence, but they want the court to clarify where asking for a campaign donation ends and seeking a bribe begins.
A second brief from Illinois criminal defense lawyers says campaign finance laws and court rulings are confusing. At issue is whether a bribery conviction requires that there be a specific quid pro quo, which Blagojevich says he never offered, or whether the so-called "wink and a nod" in which one or both parties believe there's a deal is sufficient.