Update: Ex-governor Rod Blagojevich, the ousted Illinois governor whose three-year battle against criminal charges became a national spectacle, was sentenced to 14 years in prison Wednesday, one of the stiffest penalties imposed for corruption in the history of the state.
Former Illinois Rod Blagojevich will face sentencing today on up to 18 counts of federal corruption charges, including his attempt to auction off President Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat in 2008.
Prosecutors are also accusing Mr. Blagojevich of seeking campaign donations from supporters of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) in exchange for President Obama’s Senate seat in 2008.
On Tuesday Mr. Blagojevich’s attorney Sheldon Sorosky admitted to U.S. District Judge James Zagel that the former governor did commit the crimes, however he asked that the court give a lighter sentence to his client because of the nature of his crimes.
“There’s no doubt this is a crime to do this in relation to the Senate seat, we accept that,” Mr. Sorosky told the judge, according to The Associated Press.
“I am just saying that does not call for a 15 to 20 year jail term,” Mr. Sorosky insisted.
Mr. Blagojevich is also facing sentencing for bribery and conspiracy to obtain campaign finance contributions illegally. He is also accused of lying to the FBI.
It is unclear how much time the ex-governor will receive, but the judge made it clear Tuesday that he will take a hard-line stance towards Mr. Blagojevich’s crimes.
“I do believe that is absurd to contend that his staff and advisers would devise criminal schemes whose only aim was to benefit the defendant,” Mr. Zagel said.
“He promised them nothing. He was interested in himself,” Mr. Zagel added.
Prosecutors will present their case that Mr. Blagojevich attempted to commit mail and wire fraud, and that he attempted to force more than $1.6 million in campaign donations from former supporters.
Mr. Blagojevich’s attorneys also backed off their attempt to seek probation for the ex-governor Tuesday.
Shortly after his first arrest in December 2008, the jury in his first trial was deadlocked, only finding him guilty of lying to the FBI. However, a re-trial jury found him guilty on 17 of 20 counts.
