CHICAGO (AP) — An appeals court has overturned some of the corruption convictions of imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago released its ruling Tuesday.
The Democrat is in a Colorado prison serving a 14-year sentence after jurors convicted him of 18 corruption counts over two trials. Eleven were on charges he sought to exchange an appointment to President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat for campaign money or a job.
In his appeal, the 58-year-old Blagojevich argued he’d merely engaged in legal, run-of-the-mill political horse-trading. The appeal also alleged a litany of errors by trial Judge James Zagel.
His appeal seemed to face long odds. The 7th Circuit has a reputation for rarely quashing convictions.
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