Blagojevich gets 14 years in prison for corruption

Published - Dec 07 2011 03:08AM EST

DON BABWIN, Associated Press


(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to reporters at the federal building in Chicago, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, after being sentenced for 14 years on 18 corruption counts, including trying to auction off President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.

CHICAGO (AP) — The Rod Blagojevich who once challenged a prosecutor to face him like a man, the glad-handing politician who took to celebrity TV shows to profess his innocence, was nowhere to be found Wednesday as he was sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption.

Frowning and pulling nervously at his tie, the disgraced former governor seemed like another person as he stepped up to the address the sentencing judge. His bluster, once as conspicuous as his famously lavish head of dark hair, wiped out since his June convictions on charges that included attempting to sell President Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat.

In a low voice, the two-term Democrat apologized again and again, telling Judge James Zagel he had made "terrible mistakes."

"I caused it all. I'm not blaming anybody," Blagojevich said, trying with uncharacteristic humility to avert severe punishment. "I was the governor and I should have known better and I am just so incredibly sorry."

It was not enough for Zagel, who gave the 54-year-old a sentence close to the 15 to 20 years prosecutors had sought.

"The abuse of the office of governor is more damaging than the abuse of any other office, except the president's," he said.

"Whatever good things you did for people as governor, and you did some, I am more concerned with the occasions when you wanted to use your powers ... to do things that were only good for yourself," Zagel said.

Blagojevich slumped forward in his chair — momentarily frozen as the judge pronounced the sentence. Moments later, his wife, Patti, fell into his arms; when he pulled back from their embrace, he brushed tears from her cheek.

"When it is the governor who goes bad," Zagel said, "the fabric of Illinois is torn and disfigured and not easily repaired."

Illinois governors have gone bad with stunning frequency. Four of the last nine have been sentenced to prison, including Blagojevich's predecessor, George Ryan, who remains behind bars.

Blagojevich, who received more than twice as much time as any of other governors, was also more of a national spectacle — both because of the charges against him, and how he responded to them.

In the most notorious of the FBI wiretaps that sealed his fate, Blagojevich is heard crowing that his chance to name someone to Obama's Senate seat was "f---ing golden" and he wouldn't let it go "for f---ing nothing." His lawyers claimed the comments were simply "musings," but jurors and the judge agreed they were evidence of a crime.

The jury also found that Blagojevich demanded a $50,000 donation from the head of a children's hospital in return for increased state support, and extorted $100,000 in donations from two horse racing tracks and a racing executive in exchange for quick approval of legislation the tracks wanted.

Blagojevich responded to his Dec. 9, 2008, arrest with defiance, appointing Roland Burris to the Senate job he was accused of trying to sell and proclaiming his innocence with a media blitz.

The boyish-looking defendant continued pursuing the spotlight after he was removed from office, writing a book, appearing in reality TV shows such as "Celebrity Apprentice" and even appearing in a TV ad in which he opens a briefcase overflowing not with money but with pistachios. "Rod Blagojevich does it innocently," was the line.

"His behavior and conduct once he was charged was almost a template for what you don't want a defendant to do," said Joel Levin, a former federal prosecutor. "... He did everything possible to alienate the prosecutors and the judge and, ultimately, it came back to hurt him."

It took two trials for prosecutors to snare Blagojevich. His first ended deadlocked with jurors agreeing on just one of 24 counts — that Blagojevich lied to the FBI. Jurors at his retrial convicted him on 17 of 20 counts, including bribery and attempted extortion.

On Wednesday, Blagojevich licked his lips nervously as he stepped up to address the judge — mouthing the words, "I love you," to his wife as he passed her on a spectators' bench. Leaning into a hefty oak podium, tightly gripping its sides, the often fast-talking Blagojevich spoke slowly, sometimes pausing and searching for the right word.

"My life is ruined," he told Zagel. Accentuating each of the next five words, he added, "I have nobody to blame but myself."

He offered more than half a dozen apologies to, among others, his former colleagues and to his former constituents across Illinois. But he stopped, seemingly to gather his composure, when he said that he also owed an apology to his family — including his two daughters, 15-year-old Amy and Annie, 8.

"I have ruined their innocence," he said quietly.

Sitting just a few feet to Blagojevich's left were the three federal prosecutors who devoted more than three years to his case. In his remarks, Blagojevich also apologized to them for itching to spar with them verbally, sometimes through the media.

Alluding to his teenage years as an amateur boxer, Blagojevich told Zagel, "I'm accustomed to fighting ... it was childish and not productive."

On his way out of the courthouse, Blagojevich cited author Rudyard Kipling and said it was a time to be strong, to fight through adversity and be strong for his children. He said he and wife were heading home to speak to their daughters, and then left without answering any questions.

Before sentencing, Blagojevich's attorneys had proposed a term of just a few years, saying he has already paid a price in public ridicule and financial ruin. They presented heartfelt appeals from Blagojevich's family, including letters from his wife and one of his two daughters that pleaded for mercy.

But the judge made it clear early in the hearing that he believed Blagojevich had lied on the witness stand when he tried to explain his scheming for the Senate seat, and that he did not believe defense suggestions that the former governor was duped by his advisers.

"The governor was not marched along this criminal path by his staff," Zagel said. "He marched them."

Going into the sentencing, many legal experts said the governor was likely to get around 10 years. A former Blagojevich fundraiser, Tony Rezko, recently was sentenced to 10 1/2 years, minus time served.

Prosecutors have said Blagojevich misused the power of his office "from the very moment he became governor." He was initially elected in 2002 on a platform of cleaning up Illinois politics in the midst of federal investigations that led to the prosecution and conviction of Ryan.

Blagojevich, who turns 55 Saturday, was ordered to begin serving his sentence on Feb. 16. In white-collar cases, convicted felons are usually given at least a few weeks to report to prison while federal authorities select a suitable facility. Blagojevich is expected to appeal his conviction, but it is unlikely to affect when he reports to prison.

Most of the prisons where Blagojevich could end up are outside Illinois. One is in Terre Haute, Ind., where Ryan is serving his own sentence. In prison, Blagojevich will largely be cut off from the outside world. Visits by family are strictly limited, Blagojevich will have to share a cell with other inmates and he must work an eight-hour-a-day menial job — possibly scrubbing toilets or mopping floors — at just 12 cents an hour.

According to federal rules, felons must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence a judge imposes — meaning that Blagojevich wouldn't be eligible for early release until he serves nearly 12 years.

Blagojevich clearly dreaded the idea of prison time. Asked in an interview before his retrial about whether he dwelled on that prospect, he answered: "No. I don't let myself go there."

In the same interview, Blagojevich also explained that the family dog Skittles was bought after his arrest in to help his school-age daughters, Amy and Annie, cope with the stress of his legal troubles. He said he joked with them that, "If the worst happens (and I go to prison), you can get another dog and call him 'Daddy.'"

___

Associated Press writer Deanna Bellandi contributed to this report.

http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/...tion/full/

Well earned.

Bye Bye Blago.

Quote:Blagojevich, who turns 55 Saturday, was ordered to begin serving his sentence on Feb. 16. In white-collar cases, convicted felons are usually given at least a few weeks to report to prison while federal authorities select a suitable facility.

Off to Club Fed.

On last day free, Blagojevich offers last words

Published - Mar 14 2012 03:02AM EST

MICHAEL TARM, Associated Press


(AP Photo/Rex Arbogast)
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich walks out of his home with his wife Patti to speak to the media Wednesday, March 14, 2012 in Chicago. The 55-year-old Democrat is due to report to a prison in Colorado on Thursday to begin serving a 14-year sentence, making him the second Illinois governor in a row to go to prison for corruption.

CHICAGO (AP) — Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich embraced the public spotlight one last time Wednesday, claiming on the day before he reports to prison that he always believed what he did was legal and expressing faith that an appeal of his corruption convictions will succeed.

The famously talkative Blagojevich seemed to relish the attention as he spoke to a throng of television cameras, reporters and well-wishers outside his Chicago home less than 24 hours before he was due to arrive at a Colorado prison to begin serving a 14-year sentence. He was convicted on 18 counts during two trials, including charges that he tried to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat.

"While my faith in things has sometimes been challenged, I still believe this is America, this is a country that is governed by the rule of law, that the truth ultimately will prevail," the impeached governor said during an event that seemed part farewell, part campaign rally.

"As bad as it is, (this) is the beginning of another part of a long and hard journey that will only get worse before it gets better, but that this is not over."

Supporters chanted "free our governor" and "he's not guilty," and a banner hung over a railing on Blagojevich's porch read: "Thanks Mr. Governor. We Will Pray." After his statement, Blagojevich signed autographs and chatted with supporters.

Standing beside his wife, the 55-year-old father of two daughters appeared emotional at times. He said preparing to leave for prison is "the hardest thing I've ever done" and that he had difficulty even saying he was going to prison.

But at other moments, he appeared to be back on the campaign stump, insisting that he always did what he thought was right for Illinois. Blagojevich said he "actually helped real ordinary people" and listed what he believed were his accomplishments as governor, including expanding health care for children and not raising taxes.

During his sentencing in December, he apologized for his actions by saying he "caused it all" and was "just so incredibly sorry."

But Blagojevich seemed less contrite on Wednesday, calling his troubles a "calamity" that had befallen his family and saying he always believed what he was doing "was on the right side of the law."

The crowd outside his Northwest Side bungalow grew to more than 300 strong, spilling people onto the street and stumbling into the family's rose bushes. Blagojevich was nearly knocked down by the surging crowd as he came out of his house and down the steps holding his wife's hand.

As the disgraced governor made his way back through the crowd after speaking, several women leaned in to kiss him. One, in her late 50s, reached over to stroke his hair.

When he reports Thursday to the Federal Correctional Institution Englewood in suburban Denver, he will become the second Illinois governor in a row sent to prison for corruption. Former Gov. George Ryan is serving a 6 ½-year sentence in a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind.

Blagojevich's attorneys had said he wanted to depart in a dignified way, without a media frenzy. But he timed his departing statement to begin at precisely 5:02 p.m. so it could appear live on the evening news. His publicist even gave a two-minute warning via Twitter so newscasts could be ready.

More than 50 reporters crowded to hear the former governor as two television helicopters hovered overhead and a dozen TV trucks were parked nearby.

Blagojevich spoke about how difficult his imprisonment would be on his wife and two daughters, Amy and Annie, who will be young women before their father is released. Amid the frenzy, his youngest daughter walked out of the house and stared down at the raucous scene — unsmiling and seemingly bewildered.

"We are teaching our kids that in hard times, in tears, you've got to live in your hopes and not your fears," he said.

After his wife retreated to the house, Blagojevich lingered on his porch steps, chatting with supporters, hugging children and bantering with reporters. At one point, the self-proclaimed Elvis Presley fan told supporters, "Jailhouse Rock is no longer my favorite song."

Federal agents arrested the then-governor at his home on Dec. 9, 2008. When an FBI official called to tell Blagojevich agents were at his door to arrest him, he reportedly responded in disbelief, "Is this a joke?"

After his arrest, Blagojevich hit the talk-show circuit to declare his innocence and to rail against prosecutors, even appearing on Donald Trump's reality show, "The Apprentice."

Blagojevich took the witnesses stand at his retrial, telling jurors that his talk about selling Obama's seat was just that — talk.

In the end, though, it did him little good. His first trial in 2011 ended with jurors deadlocked on all but one count. The next year, jurors were more decisive and convicted Blagojevich on 17 of 20 counts.

In Colorado, Blagojevich — whose penchant for expensive suits and lavish spending were outlined at his first trial — will have no luxuries. The prison complex is encircled by double, razor-wire fencing and is well-guarded. Inside, inmates must wake at dawn, work menial jobs and submit to head counts at all hours of the day.

"This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do," Blagojevich told the crowd in Chicago. "But it is the law, and we follow the law, and I will begin to do that tomorrow."

___

Associated Press writers Tammy Webber and Karen Hawkins contributed to this report from Chicago.

___

Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mtarm

http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/..._last_word

(03-14-2012 08:56 PM)ctipton Wrote:  On last day free, Blagojevich offers last words

Published - Mar 14 2012 03:02AM EST

MICHAEL TARM, Associated Press


(AP Photo/Rex Arbogast)
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich walks out of his home with his wife Patti to speak to the media Wednesday, March 14, 2012 in Chicago. The 55-year-old Democrat is due to report to a prison in Colorado on Thursday to begin serving a 14-year sentence, making him the second Illinois governor in a row to go to prison for corruption.

CHICAGO (AP) — Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich embraced the public spotlight one last time Wednesday, claiming on the day before he reports to prison that he always believed what he did was legal and expressing faith that an appeal of his corruption convictions will succeed.

The famously talkative Blagojevich seemed to relish the attention as he spoke to a throng of television cameras, reporters and well-wishers outside his Chicago home less than 24 hours before he was due to arrive at a Colorado prison to begin serving a 14-year sentence. He was convicted on 18 counts during two trials, including charges that he tried to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat.

"While my faith in things has sometimes been challenged, I still believe this is America, this is a country that is governed by the rule of law, that the truth ultimately will prevail," the impeached governor said during an event that seemed part farewell, part campaign rally.

"As bad as it is, (this) is the beginning of another part of a long and hard journey that will only get worse before it gets better, but that this is not over."

Supporters chanted "free our governor" and "he's not guilty," and a banner hung over a railing on Blagojevich's porch read: "Thanks Mr. Governor. We Will Pray." After his statement, Blagojevich signed autographs and chatted with supporters.

Standing beside his wife, the 55-year-old father of two daughters appeared emotional at times. He said preparing to leave for prison is "the hardest thing I've ever done" and that he had difficulty even saying he was going to prison.

But at other moments, he appeared to be back on the campaign stump, insisting that he always did what he thought was right for Illinois. Blagojevich said he "actually helped real ordinary people" and listed what he believed were his accomplishments as governor, including expanding health care for children and not raising taxes.

During his sentencing in December, he apologized for his actions by saying he "caused it all" and was "just so incredibly sorry."

But Blagojevich seemed less contrite on Wednesday, calling his troubles a "calamity" that had befallen his family and saying he always believed what he was doing "was on the right side of the law."

The crowd outside his Northwest Side bungalow grew to more than 300 strong, spilling people onto the street and stumbling into the family's rose bushes. Blagojevich was nearly knocked down by the surging crowd as he came out of his house and down the steps holding his wife's hand.

As the disgraced governor made his way back through the crowd after speaking, several women leaned in to kiss him. One, in her late 50s, reached over to stroke his hair.

When he reports Thursday to the Federal Correctional Institution Englewood in suburban Denver, he will become the second Illinois governor in a row sent to prison for corruption. Former Gov. George Ryan is serving a 6 ½-year sentence in a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind.

Blagojevich's attorneys had said he wanted to depart in a dignified way, without a media frenzy. But he timed his departing statement to begin at precisely 5:02 p.m. so it could appear live on the evening news. His publicist even gave a two-minute warning via Twitter so newscasts could be ready.

More than 50 reporters crowded to hear the former governor as two television helicopters hovered overhead and a dozen TV trucks were parked nearby.

Blagojevich spoke about how difficult his imprisonment would be on his wife and two daughters, Amy and Annie, who will be young women before their father is released. Amid the frenzy, his youngest daughter walked out of the house and stared down at the raucous scene — unsmiling and seemingly bewildered.

"We are teaching our kids that in hard times, in tears, you've got to live in your hopes and not your fears," he said.

After his wife retreated to the house, Blagojevich lingered on his porch steps, chatting with supporters, hugging children and bantering with reporters. At one point, the self-proclaimed Elvis Presley fan told supporters, "Jailhouse Rock is no longer my favorite song."

Federal agents arrested the then-governor at his home on Dec. 9, 2008. When an FBI official called to tell Blagojevich agents were at his door to arrest him, he reportedly responded in disbelief, "Is this a joke?"

After his arrest, Blagojevich hit the talk-show circuit to declare his innocence and to rail against prosecutors, even appearing on Donald Trump's reality show, "The Apprentice."

Blagojevich took the witnesses stand at his retrial, telling jurors that his talk about selling Obama's seat was just that — talk.

In the end, though, it did him little good. His first trial in 2011 ended with jurors deadlocked on all but one count. The next year, jurors were more decisive and convicted Blagojevich on 17 of 20 counts.

In Colorado, Blagojevich — whose penchant for expensive suits and lavish spending were outlined at his first trial — will have no luxuries. The prison complex is encircled by double, razor-wire fencing and is well-guarded. Inside, inmates must wake at dawn, work menial jobs and submit to head counts at all hours of the day.

"This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do," Blagojevich told the crowd in Chicago. "But it is the law, and we follow the law, and I will begin to do that tomorrow."

___

Associated Press writers Tammy Webber and Karen Hawkins contributed to this report from Chicago.

___

Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mtarm

http://www.rr.com/news/topic/article/rr/..._last_word

Only is Democratville do you get cheered for getting busted and going to jail.

In Illinois party affiliation means nothing to governor corruption. Unfortunately, it seems to be spreading to Wisconson.

(03-15-2012 02:48 PM)Fanatical Wrote:  In Illinois party affiliation means nothing to governor corruption. Unfortunately, it seems to be spreading to Wisconson.

Or I could have said Dalyville.

He is everything that is wrong in politics these days. The smug arrogance of the guy while did his thing.........

""We are teaching our kids that in hard times, in tears, you've got to live in your hopes and not your fears," he said." What else did you teach your kids, sir?

(03-15-2012 03:10 PM)SuperFlyBCat Wrote:  

(03-15-2012 02:48 PM)Fanatical Wrote:  In Illinois party affiliation means nothing to governor corruption. Unfortunately, it seems to be spreading to Wisconson.

Or I could have said Dalyville.

Or Ryanville.

There is corruption everywhere in politics, yes?

(03-15-2012 03:46 PM)beck Wrote:  There is corruption everywhere in politics, yes?

To answer the basic question, yes, but not quite like Chicago. It is a case unto itself. None of the other huge cities can hold a candle to it.

(03-15-2012 03:48 PM)ctipton Wrote:  

(03-15-2012 03:46 PM)beck Wrote:  There is corruption everywhere in politics, yes?

To answer the basic question, yes, but not quite like Chicago. It is a case unto itself. None of the other huge cities can hold a candle to it.

There was an article recently naming Chicago the most corrupt city in the Country, not that we didn't already know that.

I wouldn't be surprised if corruption charges could be filed against even the sanitation dept. in Chicago.

(03-15-2012 03:15 PM)beck Wrote:  He is everything that is wrong in politics these days. The smug arrogance of the guy while did his thing.........

I can think of another political figure that quote represents.

Must be an Illinois thing.

There's no politician more smug or arrogant than King Obama. Watching him today smirk off the gas price/oil drilling thing with some "cute" remarks toward the GOP candidates, and continuing to blame Republicans.

He is the King of "cute" comments, that's for sure.

Funny that you use the term ”king” for Obama in this thread. When it comes to Chicago Obama only became the 2nd most powerful person when he became president. If the term ”king” would apply to anyone it would have been Daley.

(03-15-2012 07:23 PM)Fanatical Wrote:  Funny that you use the term ”king” for Obama in this thread. When it comes to Chicago Obama only became the 2nd most powerful person when he became president. If the term ”king” would apply to anyone it would have been Daley.

Too true.