Rod Blagojevich Files Paperwork Asking Trump To Commute 14-Year Prison Term

on December 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 07: Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich leaves his home to go to his sentencing hearing December 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. Federal prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 15 to 20 years... CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 07: Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich leaves his home to go to his sentencing hearing December 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. Federal prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison for Blagojevich after he was found guilty of 17 public corruption charges. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois’ imprisoned ex-governor, Rod Blagojevich, has filed paperwork asking President Donald Trump to commute his 14-year prison term for corruption that included seeking to sell an appointment to the Senate seat Barack Obama vacated to become president.

A spokesman for Blagojevich’s lawyers told the Chicago Tribune it was submitted Tuesday to the Department of Justice. The Chicago Sun-Times reports the paperwork is a formality and that Trump doesn’t necessarily require it to act.

Trump last week broached the possibility of freeing the 61-year-old, suggesting the one-time “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant was convicted for “being stupid.” But many Illinois voters regarded Blagojevich’s corruption as brazen. His convictions included attempting to extort a children’s hospital.

Blagojevich’s wife, Patti, recently went on a media blitz to encourage Trump to intervene to reduce her husband’s sentence.

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