'Chicago Tribune' Delayed Governor Wiretap Stories at Fed's Request

US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who ordered the arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday morning, said at his office's request the Chicago Tribune agreed to delay publication of a story that the FBI was taping the governor. According to Fitzgerald, Tribune approached federal authorities to comment on the story. "I knew if that story was published, those bugs could not be planted," he said. He asked the paper to delay publication, saying the delay would be in the "public interest." "This was an extraordinary request for us to make, and the Tribune was very gracious," Fitzgerald added. Fitzgerald noted that when the Tribune last week published the story that the governor was being taped by federal authorities, Blagojevich was intercepted telling an aide to "undo" a plan to solicit a bribe in connection with filling the Senate vacancy.