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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That kind of court opinion is worth something. Gotta get something for that.
So will his sentence be shortened? considerably? We Illinoisans have a bad reputation for dishonest politicians, but many analysts (whose opinions I generally respect) have always felt that some of his convictions were questionable.
Whoops, post went to wrong thread. As far as Blago goes, what a titanic jerk.
He could have raped somebody and served less time.
Yeah, he’s a nut and a jerk and way too obsessed with his hair, but he doesn’t deserve this. Gov. Bob McDonnell got what, 2 years?
That was the point I was trying to make - even many “law and order” proponents were astounded that he got 14 years. His sentence will now be adjusted, so we will await that decision.