CHICAGO Ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges today, making official his denial of political malfeasance that authorities say included a scheme to sell President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.

Blagojevich looked relaxed as he stood alongside his brother, who also pleaded not guilty in the alleged scheme.

The former governor did not make a statement before the plea to racketeering and fraud charges, but told reporters and spectators when he entered the courthouse that he was "innocent of every single accusation."

"Now we can begin the process of getting the truth out and I can clear my name and vindicate myself," he said.

Blagojevich, 52, is charged with trying to auction off the Senate seat, planning to squeeze money from companies seeking state business and plotting to use the financial muscle of the governor's office to pressure the Chicago Tribune to fire editorial writers who had called for his impeachment.

By The Associated Press