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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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Let this be a warning to all politicians; Republican or Democrat. Next lets put Boehner and Pelosi behind bars for their insider trading!
Right on brother
Politicians, the rich mans crimes...
So pretty boy Rod going away for 14 years. Wonder which country club he'll have to suffer at ?
Country club or not, I wouldn't want to be in one; would you?
And the punishment for Casey Anthony was what?
What part of 'not guilty' did you not understand??
Good point...
EXACTLY. I'm not saying he's innocent, but what does it say about our country that we put away someone for trying to sell a senate seat, but we don't put someone away who murdered her child. Our priorities are completely ridiculous.
Erin – Casey was found NOT GUILTY....I am glad we don't put someone away who was found NOT GUILTY.
Nancy Grace and her intellectual challenged followers should not be the ones who decide about guilty or not guilty...I like this stuff being decided by courts!!
Hopefully this sends a message to the Wall Street Bankers who brought the United States to its knees. OK US Justice Department, get to work!!!!!!!
It's about time he took some responsibility for his crimes. I'm delighted the judge has given him 14 years; I wish it had been more.
Seems a little harsh.
You obviously do not know what he did with regards to the charges, or how bad he screwed the state of Illinois.
And I am truly sorry!
He made a mockery of the charges at first – he acted like it was all a joke. I’m sure he thought there was no way that he would get convicted. Oh Well – NEXT
wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy to steep
Watch out for your cornhole, buddy! Hopefully this clown will have his head shaved by the prison intake.
So he let 2500 clemency requests sit on his desk throughout his terms and now Quinn is dealing with them. How ironic is all this? Please oh please let him file for clemency one day and it sits for 10 years.
This is a federal case, not a state case, so Quinn can't do crap.
As someone who lives in Chicago, I don't believe he got enough. They need to make an example of him because us Chicago-ins have the worst political corruption in the country as far as I'm concerned. Let him rot
Nothing compared to NYC Democrats I assure you.
Lets say that put him and Sandusky in the same cell. What do you think?
He's too old for Sandusky.
Sandusky only likes little boys.
All of these knuckle heads think everything is "permissible" ! That's what's wrong in Washington! Let's start making them accountable and we won't have that nonsense going on with lobbyists or other "horse-trading" !
This is good. How about the other corrupt employee and officials in the State of Illinois and City of Chicago? Maybe it's about time to start cleaning house already! This State is one of the worst in the whole country, start cleaning now!
Kind of hard too do when the mafia and corruption still opens and closes the doors for the politicians and all their people.
@ Mary H,
Yes, I agree. Until they restore government transparency, people will suffer. I have lived 5-plus years in Singapore and could clearly tell how our local, state and federal government works.