Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted Monday on 17 of the 20 public corruption charges against him involving his attempt to sell the U.S. Senate seat held by Barack Obama before he resigned to become president.
Blagojevich was found guilty of all 10 counts involving wire fraud — each wire fraud count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The other 10 counts involved extortion and bribery. Most of the extortion and bribery counts have a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The jury — 11 women and one man — reached the verdicts on their tenth day of deliberation in the trial — a retrial, which began April 20. The jury acquitted Blagojevich on one count of bribery and was unable to reach verdicts on two counts of attempted extortion. Blagojevich turned to look back at his wife, Patti, who dropped into her seat as the verdicts were read.
What is Blagojevich’s sentence?
Judge James Zagel barred Blagojevich from traveling outside the northern district of Illinois without permission. A status hearing for sentencing was scheduled for August 1, 2011. His maximum sentencing could total 300 years, but some legal experts suggest the sentence could be as light as 10 or 11 years.
Blagojevich was taken into federal custody in December 2008, less than two years into his second term as governor of Illinois. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2009.
Blagojevich spent 2 1/2 years professing his innocence on reality TV shows, news shows, and on the witness stand.
Blagojevich is now the second consecutive Illinois governor convicted of corruption. Former Governor George Ryan is serving time in federal prison.
I hope he gets the full 300 years! LOL!