Tribune Picking Up Zell's Legal Bills In Blagojevich Case

CHICAGO (AP) -- Tribune Co. will pay the legal bills of chairman and chief executive Sam Zell related to a federal corruption investigation into former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Tribune announced its plans in a bankruptcy court filing on Tuesday.

David J. Bradford, a partner at Jenner & Block, told the court the firm also has handled subpoenas for Zell's private-investment company, Equity Group Investments. Zell and Chicago-based Tribune aren't the subject of the investigation, Bradford said.

Tribune Co. spokesman Gary Weitman confirmed Wednesday that Zell's legal fees would be covered.

"As is customary, Tribune has certain obligations to pay for the legal fees of its officers in connection with company business," the company said in a statement. "Tribune intends to honor those obligations to its chairman and CEO, Mr. Zell."

Federal authorities have interviewed Zell as a potential witness in the Blagojevich investigation. The impeached governor is accused of corruption that includes allegedly pressuring the Chicago Tribune to fire unfriendly editorial writers who called for his impeachment.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS