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Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years for corruption charges
[Updated at 1:33 p.m. ET] Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Blagojevich was also sentenced to pay a $20,000 fine.
The judge said he does not have report to prison for 90 days.
"I do accept his apology in his testimony, and I do believe he may regret the fate of others," Judge James Zagel said.
But that wasn't enough for the judge.
"It comes late," he said, of Blagojevich's accepting responsibility for his actions.
In announcing the sentence Judge James Zagel said Blagojevich's abuse of the governor's office "is more damaging than any other office in the U.S." besides the presidency.
Zagel noted that he did not resign as governor despite the indictments, but if he had it might have helped show he accepted responsibility.
The judge told Blagojevich that he had ruined the careers of a few people who worked for him. Zagel also questioned part of Blagojevich's accepting responsibility.
"Why did the thoughts of his children not weigh heavily on his reckless conduct?" Zagel said.
Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation applauded the sentence.
“The sentence handed down today represents a repayment of the debt that Blagojevich owes to the people of Illinois," he said. "While promising an open and honest administration, in reality, the former governor oversaw a comprehensive assault on the public’s trust."
[Posted at 1:03 p.m. ET] Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich apologized to his state, his family and the judge, saying he is "unbelievably sorry," during his sentencing hearing for corruption convictions Wednesday.
"I've had plenty of time to reflect on all that's happened," Blagojevich said. "I'm here convicted of crimes and I am accepting of it, acknowledge it."
Blagojevich, a Democrat, was accused of trying to profit as he considered whom to appoint to succeed Barack Obama when he vacated his Senate seat to move to the White House.
"There is a line between routine politics, horse trading and campaign politics," Blagojevich said. "I thought they were permissible and I was mistaken."
He was convicted of corruption in June after a jury returned 17 guilty verdicts against him.
Federal prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 15 to 20 years, but his lawyers have called that excessive and asked the judge for leniency on Tuesday, even as they admitted for the first time that crimes were committed.
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Whoa, wait, he doesn't have to report to jail for 90 days? What kind of nonsense is that? Last time I checked, the moment you are sentenced, they slap the cuffs on and haul you off to jail...
Silly justice system, I'm pretty sure he's going to spend 14 years in the federal country club...
Check out mr happy over here folks. perhaps a public hanging?
Considering murderers and rapists get less time what's the problem...
I'm not saying he needs to go away for life, nor am I in favor of a "public hanging". But if you believe he's going to spend 14 years in a federal pen doing "hard" time with actual murderers and rapist, then you're nuts.
Also, like I said, last I checked, when you're sentenced for a crime you are thrown in jail immediately. You don't get 90 days to handle your business first...
BUMMER! Federal Crime too, that means no cut in sentence... see you in 14 years big guy. You can star on Donald Trumps reality show when you get out- "People who were rich like me, then did stupid things and went to jail" which is where Trump is probably headed too..
Federal rules say 85 percent of sentence. He will be out in less than 12.
that's too bad, I thought he was really good in the movie Rudy.
Goonies too!
I could see him selling playbills in the joint like at the end of The Producers.
Justice is working,but i hope it is applied to all cases.
That good for mr arrogants, maybe they will do something with that hair while he is in there haha
F'n golden
My heart bleeds for him......lol
Blago gets 14 years and Wall St. execs get million dollar bonuses.
GOOD POINT
The American justice system is as corrupt as Washington and Wall Street.
HA HA!
Meanwhile Eric Holder helped kill a couple border patrol agents, yet he hasn't been arrested yet...
Now thats really an irresponsible comment.
He is next
THATS TOO EXTREME, BUT MAYBE IT WILL SEND A MESSAGE, BUT THEN AGAIN, HE WILL BE OUT EARLY, U WATCH
That jerk deserves every day, too!
Arrogant pos.
In California that is a 14 month sentence.
what a dope.