Blagojevich Set to Address Court Seeking Leniency for Corruption
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Ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, convicted of political corruption, is set today to address the judge who rejected his claim that he deserves leniency because he never collected money in exchange for official acts.
A lawyer for Blagojevich told U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel in Chicago yesterday that the 15- to 20-year prison term proposed by prosecutors for her client’s 18 convictions in two trials is too stiff considering he didn’t get the campaign contributions and other personal benefits he sought. The judge responded that the ex-governor intended to gain more than $1.6 million and must be held accountable for his efforts, including his attempt to sell Barack Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat.