Former governor sentenced to 14 years in prison!
CHICAGO, Illinois - December 7, 2011 - Former Governor Rod Blagojevich has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
U.S. District Judge James Zagel handed down the sentence on Wednesday, shortly after Blagojevich made a plea for leniency, following his conviction on 18 corruption counts.
Before the sentence and emotional Blagojevich told the judge, “I accept the people’s verdict, judge. They found me guilty and all I can say is I never wanted to hurt anyone. I would hope you can find some mercy.”
Before issuing his sentence, Zagel was pointed in blasting Blagojevich’s crimes.
“His abuse of the office of governor is more damaging than the abuse of any other office in the United States except president,” Zagel said.
Zagel ordered Blagojevich to report to prison on Feb. 16, 2012. He also ordered two years of supervised release and submission to drug testing.
Where Blagojevich will serve his time is still to be determined, although his defense team asked that he serve his sentence in a prison camp.
After the sentenced was announced, the disgraced former governor mouthed “don’t worry” to his wife, Patti, and touched her hand before walking up to the bench to get his surrender date.
At his retrial earlier this year, Blagojevich, 54, was convicted of 17 charges, including allegations he tried to sell or trade an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat once held by Barack Obama.
Last summer, at his first trial, jurors convicted him of lying to the FBI, but were deadlocked on all other charges.
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 15 to 20 years, noting that Blagojevich showed no remorse for his actions and has repeatedly painted the prosecution of him as a political witch-hunt.