R. Richard
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Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is going to federal prison. I would think that there's a plot bunny here for gay male writers. What happens when a large, strong prisoner decides that the State of Illinois screwed him, so it's time for revenge? Comment?
A federal judge today sentenced impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to 14 years in prison, giving little weight to Blagojevich's first-ever apology this morning since his arrest three years ago.
"The jury didn't believe you and neither did I," U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel said.
Blagojevich was convicted on 18 corruption charges, including the scheme to peddle the vacated Senate seat of Barack Obama.
Blagojevich started the day telling the court that he was "unbelievably sorry" for his "terrible mistakes," his last chance to convince the federal judge that he deserved some mercy when he was sentenced on corruption charges.
"I'm here convicted of crimes. The jury decided I was guilty. I am accepting of it. I acknowledge it…" Blagojevich told Zagel. "I want to apologize to the people of Illinois, to the court, for the mistakes I have made. … I never set out to break the law. "I never set out to cross lines. I have nobody to blame but myself for my stupidity and actions and the things I did and I thought I could do. I'm not blaming anybody," Blagojevich said.
Prosecutors argued that he has failed the people of Illinois and instead "further eroded the public's confidence in government and government officials."
"He knew from a very early date exactly what he could do to help the people of Illinois and he didn't do it," federal prosecutor Reid Schar said. "Instead, what he did was first to seek personal benefits, jobs, millions of dollars, and things for him in relation to the Senate seat.
"He lied repeatedly, concretely, and on issues that went to the heart of the case and he lied on every episode that he was questioned," Schar said. "He is incredibly manipulative, and he knows how to be."
In setting a conciliatory note, Blagojevich's lawyers have already admitted - for the first time - that it was against the law for Blagojevich to seek a high-level Washington job in return for an appointment to Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat. They also made a case for mercy, reading letters from Blagojevich's wife and oldest daughter.
His wife, Patti, cried Tuesday during the first day of the sentencing hearing as a defense attorney read her plea to U.S. District Judge James Zagel: "The punishment that he fears the most, one that would be most devastating would be that he would not be able to see his daughters grow. Please be merciful."
Defense lawyers argued that because Blagojevich received no money in his assorted schemes to peddle his power, he does not deserve extended time behind bars: "We are asking for the lowest sentence possible."
Judge Zagel earlier sided with prosecutors in key rulings that could help determine the prison sentence. Zagel agreed that evidence showed supporters of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., were offering $1.5 million in campaign contributions in exchange for the Senate appointment, a dollar figure that factors into sentencing even though Blagojevich never got the money.
Zagel also agreed that federal guidelines allow for a maximum term of 30 years to life, although such a lengthy term "would be simply not appropriate in the context of this case."
A federal judge today sentenced impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to 14 years in prison, giving little weight to Blagojevich's first-ever apology this morning since his arrest three years ago.
"The jury didn't believe you and neither did I," U.S. District Court Judge James Zagel said.
Blagojevich was convicted on 18 corruption charges, including the scheme to peddle the vacated Senate seat of Barack Obama.
Blagojevich started the day telling the court that he was "unbelievably sorry" for his "terrible mistakes," his last chance to convince the federal judge that he deserved some mercy when he was sentenced on corruption charges.
"I'm here convicted of crimes. The jury decided I was guilty. I am accepting of it. I acknowledge it…" Blagojevich told Zagel. "I want to apologize to the people of Illinois, to the court, for the mistakes I have made. … I never set out to break the law. "I never set out to cross lines. I have nobody to blame but myself for my stupidity and actions and the things I did and I thought I could do. I'm not blaming anybody," Blagojevich said.
Prosecutors argued that he has failed the people of Illinois and instead "further eroded the public's confidence in government and government officials."
"He knew from a very early date exactly what he could do to help the people of Illinois and he didn't do it," federal prosecutor Reid Schar said. "Instead, what he did was first to seek personal benefits, jobs, millions of dollars, and things for him in relation to the Senate seat.
"He lied repeatedly, concretely, and on issues that went to the heart of the case and he lied on every episode that he was questioned," Schar said. "He is incredibly manipulative, and he knows how to be."
In setting a conciliatory note, Blagojevich's lawyers have already admitted - for the first time - that it was against the law for Blagojevich to seek a high-level Washington job in return for an appointment to Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat. They also made a case for mercy, reading letters from Blagojevich's wife and oldest daughter.
His wife, Patti, cried Tuesday during the first day of the sentencing hearing as a defense attorney read her plea to U.S. District Judge James Zagel: "The punishment that he fears the most, one that would be most devastating would be that he would not be able to see his daughters grow. Please be merciful."
Defense lawyers argued that because Blagojevich received no money in his assorted schemes to peddle his power, he does not deserve extended time behind bars: "We are asking for the lowest sentence possible."
Judge Zagel earlier sided with prosecutors in key rulings that could help determine the prison sentence. Zagel agreed that evidence showed supporters of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., were offering $1.5 million in campaign contributions in exchange for the Senate appointment, a dollar figure that factors into sentencing even though Blagojevich never got the money.
Zagel also agreed that federal guidelines allow for a maximum term of 30 years to life, although such a lengthy term "would be simply not appropriate in the context of this case."
