Obama aides cleared of wrongdoing in dealings with Blagojevich

An internal review of contacts between Barack Obama's staff and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich revealed Tuesday that the U.S. president-elect's aides did nothing wrong.

The report said that Obama's incoming chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, had multiple conversations with Blagojevich, who is accused of trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by the president-elect.

Another senior Obama aide, Valerie Jarrett, was also interviewed in connection with the federal investigation into the alleged dealings of the disgraced Illinois governor.

Incoming White House attorney Greg Craig conducted the internal review at Obama's request after Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges.

The report concluded that no one close to Obama suspected the governor might try to enrich himself by exercising his right to fill the seat.

Talks did not include any deal: report

As well, the report found that talks with Obama's aides did not involve any deal concerning who the governor would appoint.

Obama is on vacation in Hawaii and was not expected to comment on the report.

Prosecutors have said the president-elect is not accused of any wrongdoing. While he has said little about the case, Obama has stated that members of his office had no involvement in any deal-making around his Senate seat.

The president-elect's team wrote their report without having access to transcripts of the FBI's taped conversations,the Associated Pressreported on Monday.

An FBI affidavit said Blagojevich was intercepted on wiretaps conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife.

Prosecutors allege Blagojevich wanted a cabinet post, placement at a private foundation in a significant position, campaign contributions or an ambassadorship in return for the Senate seat.