E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
John Gress / Reuters
Disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich leaves his Chicago home for the second day of his sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
CHICAGO - Update, 1:30 p.m. ET: Judge sentences ousted Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich to 14 years in prison for corruption.
Update, 1:25 p.m. ET: Judge Zagel says he is considering issuing a 12.5 to 15.5-year jail sentence, NBC reports.
Update, 1:20 p.m. ET: Judge Zagel says "Blagojevich's staff did not march him down this criminal path. He marched them." He also says Blago's acceptance of responsibility will mean he will reduce his sentence, NBC News in Chicago reports. Sentence has not yet been handed down.
Update, 1 p.m. ET: The court has been called back into session, NBC reports. Judge James Zagel has asked the defendant to rise so he can announce the sentence.
Update, 12:45 p.m. ET: Before the court took 20-minute recess, Blagojevich told the judge, "I have nobody to blame but myself," reports NBC News. "I'm not blaming anybody. I realize I was mistaken. I realize the things that I thought were permissible were not."
Blagojevich also expressed remorse over the damage he's caused to his children.
My "kids have to face the fact that their father is a convicted felon," he said. "And it's not like their name is Smith. They can't hide."
Update, 12:20 p.m. ET: Rod Blagojevich has told the judge at his sentencing hearing that he acknowledges his crimes and is "unbelievably sorry." He says the mistakes he's made have been "terrible mistakes."
The impeached Illinois governor spoke Wednesday as he waits to learn his punishment on charges that include trying to sell an appointment to President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.
Blagojevich's attorneys admitted for the first time Tuesday that he is guilty of corruption and accepts the verdicts against him, but said the sentence of 15 to 20 years prosecutors want is too harsh.
Original story (published at 12:02 p.m. ET):
CHICAGO - After all his claims of innocence and facing years in prison, Rod Blagojevich let his lawyers make an admission that he has so far avoided — that he is, in fact, guilty of public corruption.
The former Illinois governor will get a chance to do the same Wednesday, when he is scheduled to address the judge who will decide his sentence.
Judge James Zagel signaled Tuesday he may be prepared to impose a stiff prison sentence, saying he thinks Blagojevich lied when he told jurors he never tried to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat for campaign cash or a top job.
Throughout the first day of his two-day sentencing hearing, the impeached executive-turned-reality TV star known for his jocular personality was somber and ill-at-ease, staring down at the floor. His wife sobbed as a letter from their daughter was read begging Zagel not to send Blagojevich to prison.
The hearing was a stark contrast to the circus atmosphere around Blagojevich's trials on multiple counts of corruption.
The conciliatory tone came as something of a surprise — just days after defense filings that, as many times before, stridently declared Blagojevich's innocence and said he had been duped by aides but never intended to cross any lines into illegality.
Attorney Sheldon Sorosky told Zagel it was illegal for Blagojevich to ask for a job for himself in exchange for naming Obama's replacement in the Senate.
"There's no doubt this is a crime to do this in relation to the Senate seat, we accept that," he said. "I am just saying that does not call for a 15- to 20-year jail" term as prosecutors have requested.
Sorosky made the same argument when he talked about the other crimes for which Blagojevich was convicted: shaking down a racetrack executive and a hospital executive, as well as lying to the FBI.
At Tuesday's hearing, Blagojevich ringed his hands and pulled nervously at his fingers, pausing occasionally to sip on a plastic bottle of Cherry Coke. Legal experts believe Blagojevich needs to express remorse for his actions when addressing the judge Wednesday.
Zagel, who has said he'll pronounce a sentence Wednesday, said early on during Tuesday's hearing that Blagojevich was clearly the ringleader of the schemes for which he was convicted and that he lied about his actions on the witness stand. The judge made it clear he did not believe a suggestion made by defense attorneys that Blagojevich was duped by aides and advisers.
"There is no question from his tone of voice that he was demanding," Zagel said of Blagojevich's comments on phone conversations secretly recorded by the FBI. "His role as leader is clearly shown by his actions."
And in a harsh assessment of Blagojevich's performance on the witness stand, Zagel said the former governor was lying when he testified that he planned to appoint the state's attorney general to Obama's seat in a political deal that is legal.
"I think this is untrue," Zagel said. "I thought it was untrue when he said it and I think it is still untrue."
Defense to judge: Think of his family
Defense attorney Aaron Goldstein pleaded with the judge not to impose a lengthy prison sentence — not for Blagojevich's sake, but for that of his family. In an emotional few minutes before proceedings ended for the day, Goldstein said locking Blagojevich up for a long time would devastate his wife and two daughters.
When Goldstein began reading a letter to the judge from Blagojevich's older daughter, 15-year-old Amy, the former governor suddenly seemed to fight to maintain his composure, fidgeting with a pen, biting on his lip. An attorney turned to gently pat his shoulder.
Amy wrote that she needs her father for all the things that will happen in her life — graduation from high school, applying to college and when her heart gets broken. In another letter, Blagojevich's wife, Patti, asked Zagel to "please be merciful" and said the punishment her husband fears the most is not seeing his daughters grow up.
Zagel seemed engaged in what Goldstein was saying as he described Blagojevich as a father. Patti Blagojevich began sobbing, tears streaming down her cheeks, then dabbing her reddened face with a tissue. She closed her eyes tight, tears still rolling down her face, when Goldstein played a tape recording of a giddy Blagojevich calling his younger daughter, who is now 8, and putting on a high baby-like voice, saying "Hey Annie!"
A second defense attorney told the judge that Illinois history of political corruption shouldn't count against Blagojevich. Carolyn Gurland said it would be unfair to Blagojevich for Zagel to impose a tougher sentence because other Illinois politicians, including former Gov. George Ryan and U.S. Rep. Dan Rostenkowski, have been sent to prison for corruption.
"The law is clear that he should not be punished because of the history of corruption in Illinois," she said.
If Blagojevich gets the 15 to 20 years in prison, she said, he would become the most severely punished public official in state history.
Prosecutors say the twice-elected governor not only shirked all responsibility for his crimes but repeatedly thumbed his nose at the U.S. justice system. Blagojevich's attorneys have said he has already paid a price in public ridicule and financial ruin, and propose a term of just a few years.
Gurland also argued that Zagel should take into account the fact that Blagojevich did not "receive a single penny" in ill-gotten gains, unlike other politicians convicted of public corruption.
"Rod Blagojevich received nothing," she said, adding that Blagojevich was doing what politicians do by seeking campaign contributions and not "money stuffed into envelopes."
Blagojevich and his wife knew they were setting themselves up for ridicule by appearing on reality television shows, she said, but they did so to provide for their children. Blagojevich appeared on "Celebrity Apprentice," where he struggled to use a cellphone, and his wife ate a tarantula on the reality show, "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!"
Blagojevich's sentencing comes just days before his 55th birthday and three years to the week of his Dec. 9, 2008, arrest. The jury deadlocked in his first trial, agreeing on just one of 24 counts — that Blagojevich lied to the FBI. Jurors at his retrial convicted him on 17 of 20 counts, including bribery.
Among the court attendees Tuesday were more than a dozen jurors from both of Blagojevich's trials, including both foremen.
After sentencing, Zagel will likely give Blagojevich weeks before he must report to prison. Once there, the man heard scoffing on FBI wiretaps about earning a low six-figure salary would have to take a prison job — possibly scrubbing toilets — at just 12 cents an hour.
Leave a Comment:
(&*(& his family!
They'll change their name to Jevich and be fine.
Your right Rod I don't believe you - you are sorry you got caught!
Blago is so crooked that when he dies they'll have to screw him into the ground.
If he had stepped up and taken responsibility way back in the beginning then I might be OK with the judge showing him 'some' leniency in sentencing.
Since Rod waited until the hand writing was on the wall and incurred the expense to the tax payers and consumed vast amounts of the court's time and resources in the process to accept responsibility I say he should get the maximum sentence preferably in a facility that's not one of those 'Deluxe Accommodation Detention Facilities'. But that probably won't happen.
Obama was tied to the crooked actions of this guy. He denied having ANY contact with Blago, which was discovered later to be a LIE. Obama wanted to pick his Senate successor, and Blago wanted money or other perks for it.
Obviously, the courts and the media STILL avoid any mention of Obama's guilt, and refuse to follow any path that may expose him for the crook he is.
"He denied having ANY contact with Blago, which was discovered later to be a LIE."
WRONG...
GET A LIFE WOULD YOU??? OBAMA is not to blame for every damned thing wrong with this country or the people in it!
Blagojevich s life is gonna change ...
Think about how long fourteen years is in a cage .. imagine how it would feel .... waiting ... waiting
This type of criminal has had nothing to fear in the past .. stiffer sentences for those that deceive millions to satisfy their narcissism and greed, would make for a better country ...
I would trust a killer before I would trust Blago ...
"After sentencing, Zagel will likely give Blagojevich weeks before he must report to prison. Once there, the man heard scoffing on FBI wiretaps about earning a low six-figure salary would have to take a prison job — possibly scrubbing toilets — at just 12 cents an hour". LOL
Men, how I wish all of congress can go to jail and scrubb toilets for 12 cents an hour for crimes against the American people....how I wish....!
These scumbags dont care about the plight of the American people. While they are busy shopping at Nordstrom, Americans are killing each other just to buy chinese made sh!t from walmart....
They can not pass any laws that are geared towards helping the American people, BUT they are passing laws geared to help themselves on loot....
I would personally volunteer to be celled up with one of this clowns
Seriously, did this guy really think that he was gonna get away with selling a former Senator/ current POTUS's seat? He gets what he deserves, he lucky he only got fourteen years!
See ya douche bag!
Hope you get a nice loving cell mate.
time, do you have information that the court doesn't have on Obama? If so, please show it to all of your fellow Viners and to the courts in IL.
Anyway, Blago got what was coming to him. I do not feel sorry for him at all. Most politicians wait until they are out of office to cash in their favors (I still think this is wrong), but Blago was just in your face about it. He thought he was above the law, so happy trails Blago.
He can join Tony Resko, who recently was sentenced to prison as well.... they can both reminisce about the good ole days before their friends Barry and Rahm went to DC. Who would you say got the best part of that partnership?
Good, keep him locked up.
well he sure the hell isn't the answer either, but mindless cattle like you will probably vote for him again just like last time.
It doesn't make any difference what his sentence is -- he will be pardoned by "guess who." He has too much dirt on too many people to have to serve a full sentence. His biggest problem will be watching his back when he goes to the joint.
Right, have a family, commit a felony, then play the family pity card. He obviously wasn't considering his family, so why should the judge?
timetraveler100, if you have read my other postings on here, you'll know that I am no fan of President Obama (understatement). Just the same, it is not unreasonable for one who is leaving a political office to attempt to influence the choosing of his or her successor. That in and of itself is no crime, and I have heard/read nothing to indicate that Obama and friends engaged in illegal procedure in the succession process. Quite to the contrary, Obama's people had no intention of going along with Blago's little auction, which is a big reason Blago is going to jail. Blago would have done well to just shut up and say "yes sir!" to the President-elect from Blago's own political party.
Other: I suppose Blago deserves the sentence he got, but I am not at all thrilled about it, and it is nothing at all to celebrate. Having a "political prisoner" is nothing to be taken lightly, ever.
He is only sorry that he got caught. Unbelievably sorry. What a dime store joke.
Two convicts were talking in Prison one day.....One was Former Illinois Gov. Ryan...the other was his new cellmate....."Ya know, the food in here was much better when you were Governor", Ryan told BLAGO....
Why does this POS get until Feb.15, 2012 to turn himself in to the prison ??? He should have been lead out the back door in handcuffs....I hope they took his passport and at least put an ankle bracelet on him.....
I beg to differ Loren, he's managed to get the right-wing coming out of the frickin' woodwork, locked and loaded and ready for violent overthrow of the country! Literally.
His sentence is clearly a result of GW Bush's failed policies.
All politicians should be scrutinized with this same enthusiasm. Most politicians live the double standard.
Which one of our elected officials received American financial aid as a foreign student from Indonesia.?? Speaking of corruption..
LOL Avg Joe-1820350:
On a serious note however, Blagojevich intends to announce his presidential bid in 2024 if they give him time off for good behavior.
Uh, some of you are naive enough to believe that Blago is going to a regular federal prison to share a cell with Bubba......wrong, he'll go to one of those country club detention farms and be assigned to rake the sand in the volleyball pit four times a day.
Sorry "bout' that Blago. Were you the Fall guy the Mafia Government in Chicago?
If he is allowed to write a book, make money, he definitely will "Spill the Beans" about the other Politicians in Chicago--particularly a couple of well-known ones--
They must be shaking in their boots if this does happen.
14 yrs. in Prison. Most likely the sentence will be drastically cut for good behavior. Will he go to a White Collar Prison? He'll take a rest for a few years.
This is a signal to all Politicians who try and buy" their way into a Senate Seat, or any other Status Political Position.
Oh not to worry, obama can pardon him :)
REALLY, Sure he was wrong and got caught. It's not like he murdered someone, oh wait, murderer's get less time than they want for him. Maybe you should think about his wife and young children.
spider-737231...His sentence is over 10 years...he is not eligible for Club FED....a Medium Security Federal Prison, most likely in Indiana will be his new home....Must serve 11 1/2 years before being eligible for parole....Unless of course Barry pardons him on Jan 20, 2013....his last day in office, as his thanks for taking one for the corrupt Chicago Political Machine.
holy crap batman!!!!!the system worked for once.someone restart my heart
Trish-2071038..."Maybe you should think about his wife and young children."
Maybe BLAGO should have.....before embarking on selling this "F**king Golden thing"
And don't be so naive...It's Chicago, It's Illinois....her and the kids will be "well kept" by the Machine.....And they won't even let Blago know who she's sleeping with.
Wanna bet?
Good riddance, this is what corruption should get you!
And say, conservatives who are always complaining about having their posts collapsed, what's up with 1.6? How is that offensive, or even off topic?
This is about Blagojevich. He will never serve the 14 years out. He will be let go alot earlier for good behavior & also will be treated like a king in prison like all the rich are. The movie stars that are sentenced to jail aren't in long or eat or treated like the other prisioners.
One down, I can think of about 535 to go. Both the House and Senate. All crooks if you ask me!
Then we can work our way both up and down from there. Do you think we can find some funding for the extra prisons we'll need? I'll donate the first $100, who's in?
@spider: Spot on, dude, and he'll be out in three years. Maybe even get a pardon before that if BHO doesn't get a second term. Makes my skin crawl.
His new buddies will love that hairdo.
i figure he'll be sent to a federal pen...next thing to a country club...our country and our bought and paid for justice system...fail us again...
hope his cell mate's....don't spare the rod...
If this guy's getting 14 years Gingrich and Cantor should be scheduled for Execution
Wow...I thought he would do a small bit...14 years is a chunk....The feds only give a minimal amount of good time, so he will do at least a decade...Unless he now rats on a bunch of people...Yes...They give snitches time cuts...It will be interesting to see how many people he can bury too...I think if he has dirt on anyone...They are scared.
Given the legality and spirit of Citizens United, Blagojevich is doing time for something that our elected officials do daily--sell their votes and leadership to the highest bidders. This is the ugly pall that cloaks a dying democracy.
I remember when Blagojevich ran for office--as a reformer!! His arrogance and sense of entitlement has brought him down and destroyed his family. He'll be 70 or more before he gets out of jail and will have to learn how to fight off inmates who want to toss his salad.
If more elected officials actually feared consequences, perhaps they'd shut the door to all those special interest lobbyists wishing to buy their influence.
Let's keep the cell next to Blagojevich available. Obama is part of this, too, but is being shielded by his current office. We can wait.
I agree with all the comments about the political mafia in Chicago, remember also that Obama received a lot from Rezco at price of 'discount'. Blogo make a mistake and was escoriated from the group and left along with no protection.
Hennie-1585973....."He will never serve the 14 years out. He will be let go alot earlier for good behavior"
This is a Federal Conviction....he must serve 85% of his sentence....11 1/2 years....the last Gov. of Illinois is still in prison...The only way out early is a President Obama Pardon....
BLAGO's Lawyers have probably already sent a team to see Eric Holder....you know, the one made famous for getting Clinton to pardon Marc Rich....
14 years sounds about right for the crime. Now lets concentrate on bringing those criminal bankers to account for their crimes. Based on the relative effect of their crimes on the millions who got dragged into illegal mortgages , they should all get a min of 50 years in prison.
Where the hell is Fiesty?
Seems like the fringers, birthers, racers, spewers, spinners, blamers gamers baggers, taggers, conservadingos are out in force today.....such verbosity. Trying to tag it on the Prez, as they vote against their own best interest.... still believing the trick of trickledown eek con omics comics...
Insider, outsider, midsider tradin and a raidin, many just a shadin'.... loans, groans and moans... masses losing abodes...... wall street, gall street, pall it all.... lock em, soak em, pack em all in stalls.... wink wink nudge nudge gilden rubber chicken balls.... nada happens at all.
Bloggo... has been sentenced... so now... what?
When are those who caused the financial collapse and other fraudulent activities and crimes against humanity going to be joining him? Perhaps they are to big to jail?
Is the defunding of certain department being used as a means of preventing the investigation into these questionable activities that caused the financial and housing collapse and took our economy and jobs with it? Enquiring minds want to know.....
When are we going to address the ongoing infrastructure deterioration, lack in education, mass jobs outsourcing, 103 year old grandmas losing their homes etc etc and the continued enforced serferation on this nation..... even as upper management keeps getting their big bonuses upon massive salaries, while Other Streets USA have to get permit to protest, while trying to duck air missiles and freshen up with pepper spray, even as some polititians like Ryan, Cantor, McConnell et al deny, stop progress, and put up resistance to rebuilding our nation etc..... The suffering masses would cry like Boehner if they had any more tears left.... don't you think?
No to serferation.....
Nuance, nuance, nuance.....
Well good, now lets head on down to Wall Street and do a little sweeping up in DC
And they are not taking obama ( HUSSEIN) WITH HIM?????????????????
yousaidinSD:
You said it--I implied it!---wait, the real scoop will come out--Blago wasn't the only person involved in selling the seat.
Whatever happened to that crook who wanted to buy it also? Guiterrez, Jesse Jackson Jr. Chicago, the home of the worst, most crooked Mafia Machine ever.
"The Untouchables" How many are there in Chicago--Daley got bailed out by becoming Obama's Chief of Staff--he's gone, too.
Well here we go again ,the sentence of 14 years on this Mafia style guy is not stiff enough,this is one of the reason we have so many of the same crooks in our Government,only the money count for many of these people and still the American people keep voting these guys in Government ,the House or Senate. Richt now we have one of these types trying to get his butt in the White House, yes Mr Newt with his shadowing background deals and his extra love affairs with many women behind the back of his wife,almost same type like mc Cain who left his sick wife for a rich women and people are voting these crooks in office,no wonder America is going to hell and degenerating at a high speed,but they got Blacojevich this time and I hope he will be locked up for that long, in the mean time I doubt it seriously.
Harry
This time is about Democrats and the Chicago machine, very similar to New Jersey where another Governor Democrat will be convicted. You can leave Newt for another time.
Blago sits as the top part of the Oreo. The bottom is Rezko. Two convicted felons, political corruption. And who is the frosting between? Obama! If either of these guys want to shorten their sentence, they will give Fitzgerald Obama! Fitzgerald will do a great job of putting Barack in prison. The people of Illinois will appreciate all efforts to put its corrupt politicians in hard time prisons! Maybe we can get Durbin and Burris! Daley and Stroger! Emanuel and Jackson Jr! The entire Thomson Prison in Illinois could be filled with Illinois Democrats! What a joy that would be.
If you think democrats have a stranglehold on corruption, you're living in an alternate reality. Should we look at all the republicans doing similar and worse things? How about tea partiers? The political system is like big business - it doesn't matter what "side" you're on - it's all about getting what you as an individual wants for many if not most politicians.
To his family: I'm sorry, but this man has broken more than laws.. he has broken the trust of the people of Illinois. We cannot as a society continue to 'reward' bad behavior with a slap on the wrist.
To ChicagoK - How sad that you do not even mention republicans that have been more corrupt than this guy. Grow up and realize that corruption, greed, and bad choices are on all sides of the political aisle.
And, of course, you have evidence to support this assertion.
Could you elaborate on how you really feel Ben? Come on buddy...Get it all out, and then you can breath easy. I can tell this is an issue you would like to vent about...
I won't say your wrong...In fact Bush was convicted of war crimes along with Tony Blair in Malasia. You can see it on youtube. It won't get them to the Hague of course...But it is a start. The link is below.
;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZxa0-IXl_U
To All, please make constructive comments. Blanket statements such as "all illinois democrats should be put in prison", is an immature and unproductive comment. In reference to the former Illinois Governor, politicians should be held to higher accountability, than the average citizen. Government leaders should always be served the maximum sentences, due to how much large power they held and the fact of how their illegal activities, affect many innocent civilians.
Ben- If you think GW should be treated in that manner then you have to include your boy BO and Bill Clinton. BO is far worse than GW ever was and still continues in his killing spree while on vacation in Hawaii- If one is guilty they all are. I can see your loving liberal side showing.
Ben,
Have you forgotton to take your meds again? You know how upset you get when you don't take your meds.
So.. Kelldon - Obama is responsible for invading another country on the pretense of weapons of mass destruction? He is responsible for spending 1 trillion dollars to fight the war, sending thousands of american and iraqi military service people to their deaths, and all under a lie?
And since you seem to have such vast knowledge, please give us examples of this 'killing spree' while obama was in Hawaii. I am on the edge of my seat....
I can see your conservative, head in the sand, and ignorance of seeing all sides showing profusely.
Do the world a favor and avoid procreation, simpleton.
You conservatives have nothing to add but typical bs as usual!! from what i read here from you so called patriots is the crap i hear from Rush Limbaugh and Fox news. All of you are on the same BS page and very ignorant!!
When will Newt be convicted? Oh that's right, he already was (and he's running for President!)......
Former Republican Governor George Ryan got 6 years for worse crimes.
http://www.alternet.org/economy/153274/6_Shocking_Revelations_About_Wall_Street%27s_%22Secret_Government%22/
But not on Fox News how sad...
@Benjen - sorry that your very valid statement was collapsed.
@kelldon - thousands did not die due to a lie, economies did not fail, and crooks were not 'bailed out' by Clinton. Get a clue.
It's about time an untouchable was touched! Maybe, just maybe, crooked public servants will begin to serve for the good of mankind. *chuckle*
Hey do'nt forget to add BUSH & DICK Sheney to that list...
JmichaelG
How about the tea party? Please give some info. You libs always get your panties in a bunch when you or your party gets called out. Now before you start spouting of I DO NOT THINK Repubs walk on water. But really the tea party. What about OWS? Most of you dont even understand the tea party. In case you dont know GW, Cheney, Rove and many other are not part of the tea party.
I think we all understand the Tea Party was entirely a sham set up by Fox and Koch bros. OWS IS a grassroots movement started by real people, not funded by corporations or news organizations (think back to how long it took the movement to get any real press coverage vs the TP bs). What a surprise that republicans blame Obama without ANY evidence to back it up. Keep repeating the lies guys, maybe others as ignorant as you will believe what you say.
jeez people this is ONE man not a whole political party.
But probably a product of Chicago's Democratic machine which gave us Nazi's like Mayor Daley! Remember: Democrats are Republicans in sheep's clothing. Both parties have corrupt politicians. such as the Republican slimeball Tom Delay of Texas. Corruption in politics is nothing new.
Sorry Pat but you are the ignorant one. I just love how the libbies start attack and slur if you don't agree with them. Read my whole post and put out facts not bla bla bla Bush bla bla Cheney bla bla. Grassroots involve rape and drugs? How many arrested at TP's compared to OWS? And im not even against the OWS because you can't let afew speak for the many and they have a right to assembly. But that don't work for you libbies because it your way or the highway. Just sit back and listen to some of your rhetoric and class warfare talk. I've listen to my parties and don't agree with everything but people like you are normally just sheep. Please don't attack our cronnies but we'll lay it on when one of yours @#ucks up.
BenJames dot net banned, calling for the hanging of a former POTUS. Don't.
Do the crime Do the time No remorse for these dirty politicians.
Agreed.
I do feel sorry for his family...but Blago was the one who should have made better choices for them, his state, his office and himself.
Where was all this concern about wanting to see his daughters "grow up" before he committed the crime?
If he didn't care then, why should we care now?
Not only should they put him away but put a gag on him as well. Why should he have the right to make money by breaking the law? I'm sick of hearing about the man and just want him to go away. My sympathies to his wife and family. If I were them, I'd change my name and move away.
I'll be very happy when the mayor and prez r in the cell right next to him, the basturds
Disturbedlibrarian
Not only should they put him away but put a gag on him as well
======
...........Better yet, if you really want to punish him and cause him severe mental anguish, just shave his hair off!
Roadhouse, I'm smiling.
Yup.. and Newt is next.
It IS a shame, and you can't help but feel a little sorry for the sick bastard.
But sadder still....is that he's just ONE bad politico, out of a torrential, cascading waterfall of corrupt officials, who just happened to step out of line and upset the wrong people... and is now paying for it.
The next question is: "How to stop all the others?"
(funny, he said basically,that his intention was to get 'something' for this 'golden' senate seat - guess he got his wish.)
Sorry Blago, mercy goes to the highest bidder.
What a totally appropriate response... and quite funny too.
max sentence. Sooner or later something is going to get through that culture of corruption.
Get through to the Culture of Corruption? Never! The belief that I won't get caught is far too strong.
Spot on Galactica- Oh the irony......LMFAO
He's guilty, please show mercy
Um, how about "no"...
Show mercy for the sake of his family/ This is a joke right? If that was just cause for lenient sentencing ..every two bit hood from here to kalamazoo would be screaming that one! And if the judge makes a ruling for a lessor sentence in that regard he ought to lose his bench! If not that? Then every common criminal in Chicago ought to have an appeal presented based on the grief of their own families.
Besides..the children aside, you cannot tell me that his wife was sitting there completely clueless as to his back handed dealings and nature...so screw her...better or worse baby and you got worse..which is what you had coming for shacking up with that! What he deserves is a good old fashioned lynch mob...but we are too politically correct for all that these days,which is a damn shame!
So who cares that he will get 15 to 20 maybe that's what has to be done I'm from Illinois and the state is bankrupted because of the Dems. and Repubs. both. Send him to jail for the most years you can and maybe the future Illinois government officials will be true to their job and not steal from the state. Show the outside world you you steal you do the time. Give him the max!!
Tom Sheehan
So who cares that he will get 15 to 20 maybe that's what has to be done I'm from Illinois and the state is bankrupted because of the Dems. and Repubs. both.
............Amen, I live in a heavily GOP town, which is in a heavily GOP county (think Hastert), and they have been raising my taxes left and right (no pun intended) for years now, while the evil Obama has actually reduced my Fed tax. Our county board chair(wo)man is under heat for giving out raises to her friends in county government without going through proper procedures, so she is not going to run for the board chair next time. Great huh? Nope, she is going to run for the state senate, just great, another crook in Springfield.
I'm trying to move. IL is almost a shameful place to live. Not that I will fare TONS better, elsewhere-but maybe I'll be less of a joke and maybe be able to be sure my kids will not be going to a bankrupt school.
Roadhouse....the reason your local taxes have gone up is because your federal went down....less money to be given to local communities.....there is always a balance...give to one....take from another
@!$%#in' Golden!
KMC, best not come to NY State!!! The whole State is basically bankrupt. Heck, we're all thinking about moving to Illinois. lol
It's simple, throw him in the slammer. He has had enough freedom which allowed him to life quite nicely. Time for him to see a cage.
He can ask for mercy when a prisonmate named Molly is going to give him a human booster shot.
Enjoy your sentence you corrupt piece of garbage.
"There's no doubt this is a crime to do this in relation to the Senate seat, we accept that," he said. "I am just saying that does not call for a 15- to 20-year jail" term as prosecutors have requested.
---
If this DIRT BAG gets off easy it will mean a faster doom for the American government, sending a message that cheating, lying, stealing, pays off.
Unfortunately - the few that do get caught are not stopping the rest from being corrupt. They simply are learning ways to better hide their corruption.
BenJames - Could you pease explain to us what George Bush has to do with this matter?
Sounds like you have some sort of fixation.
I'll do it for him tim-441636... He started 2 wars that ended up with lots of people dead, countries ruined, and probably no way for the US to get out of there. He had no right to do that, especially going into Iraq. All you people who try to bash politicians who are actually doing their jobs - cut it out! You're not helping anything by spewing hate everywhere. GW Bush is a hate monger, as are all of his neo-con friends.
Yolando,
GWB acted with the approval of congress in both wars, not alone. Curious, why leave that out?
Spike - did you also fail to mention the 'ploy' of weapons of mass destruction as a means to 'sell' the war to congress and the american people.
Granted, the Iraqi people may one day benefit from the removal of a harsh dictator, but we had no business in Iraq.
You may not like George Bush and you may disagree with him politically. And you may also believe he did a poor job as President (I do). But none of what he did was criminal.
Spike322306 & Its about time-3704531 Have you really forgotten the front page of the NYTimes that Judy Miller parroted from the Cheney/Bush/Pentagon about WMDs and about to attack USA in 45 days. they in claboration to kill 4500 of our military and repeate econmic hardship on all Americans.
As a matter of fact read what our PATROTIC Federal Reserve has been doing with our US Treasuray in bailout loans around the world. Isn't it about time to rid ourself of these two goodole boys money maker to the tune of over 35 Biiion dollars profic. Think of it two (2) good ole boys of the Federal Reserve and the FDIC are both for profit inties of the US Gov. and they are not accountable to anyone. Now I call that wasted taxpaper money.
The weapons of mass destruction (that the US sold him) were never found because when W stabbed Hussein in the back by invading, he used them to light up Kuwait. That's what I think. Just like I have done research and I feel that 911 was totally an inside job. No I will not provide links. I'm tired of doing the research and having to post it. After doing said research I have decided Cheney and Rumsfeld are two of the most evil humans, if they can even be called humans, to have ever existed. I believe W was duped by those evil bastards. I will give a starting point though. Google "911 planes" and go from there. Watch the videos and read the stories. It amazes me how many people think our government is not capable of doing such a thing considering what a war hungry nation we have are. The Republican catchphrase should be "No War is No Fun". I'm sure many of you will tell me to take off the tinfoil hat. But the funny thing is, I don't wear a tinfoil hat. Mine is made of reality.
As for Blago, he should be drawn and quartered. His remains then dumped into the Lake Michigan for the fish to nibble on.
"Spike - did you also fail to mention the 'ploy' of weapons of mass destruction as a means to 'sell' the war to congress and the american people."
It wasn't a ploy. The whole free world believed Saddam had them, and KNEW that he had used them. Bill Clinton thought so, among many past and present world leaders at the time.
Hindsight is always 20-20, and Monday morning quarterbacks and gamblers are always the smartest.
me,
Take off the tin foil hat.
Spike - He did? Where were they? He used them? The whole free world DID not believe Saddam had them. Ask the French, Italians, Germans, and a few others. Sorry, it was a lie, and we did not gain anything for our efforts.
he showed 0 remorse until now and even maintained his lie of innocence with television interviews, throw the book at him.
I love these imbeciles who enjoy saying the president of United States is responsible for everything. Yes, as Americans we love to blame someone. G W. Bush was responsible for the death of thousands of his own countrymen in an unsubstantiated war yes. But Obama and Blago that's a stretch. Yes, they both swear like truck drivers but that is about all they have in common. MF idiot teabagger, Republicans. I love this Gansta Government more power to them. I hope they rule another 4 or even 8 years. Go Liberals. Get these insane "R's" out of my Congress.
What in the world is wrong with you ChicagoK? Obama has NOTHING to do with this situation. Blago is corrupt, he used and abused his power. He should get the max. I don't care about his kids. He should have thought about that before he messed up. And his wife crying in court? Tito - hand me a tissue... Ugh.
Yolanda,
I think ChicagoK is to much like the teabaggers in Washington. They are so focused on hating obama, that they can't see beyond fact/fiction, and the only version of the truth is what they believe it to be.
Good post.
Wake up Yolanda. There were reports that George Bush learned of the corruption probe during the primary campaigns, and that Barack would be snagged as well. He warned Barack to stay clear of Blago. Big mistake on his part.
"There were reports....."?????
Kinda like "Rumor has it"...
Or "Some people believe...."
And "According to some sources....."
Hey Dick, care to cite your sources? Using terms like "wake up" doesn't exactly endear you to the people. Or as you probably call them, "sheeple." *eyeroll*
Wow. This guy has no shame. He will throw his family under the bus in order to skate.
Political reporters must be getting their popcorn ready for the sentencing. This is supreme entertainment for them.
So glad this Kennedy look alike wanna be slime ball is finally going down....Another one of Obama's best friends....LOL
He and any other politician that would be so corupt I view as a traitor to our country,
something I also view as worse than terrorism.
Mercy for Blago? NO! He's a lying cheating thug that went into public service (aka politics) to enrichen himself by defrauding the people he took an oath to support.
Give him the max.
Correct bfitz,
Just like the other 535 that are supposed to have our best interest in mind...I', hoping for 15 yrs..??
She ate a tarantula?!?!?!
C'mon here,.. that's GOT to be worth something..
""Blagojevich appeared on "Celebrity Apprentice," where he struggled to use a cellphone, and his wife ate a tarantula on the reality show, "I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!"""
After all those many months of claiming he was innocent now right before sentencing he wants mercy because he admits what had to be shown in a legnthy trial ? Throw the book at him.
We will show mercy in 20 years when we let him out.
He will be pardoned by his buddy Obama before he loses his job next yr...
Betcha he won't be.
With what the Republicans have to offer, I think O'bama will be re-elected. After the Blagojevich drama has quieted down, O'bama will then pardon him, after his re-election of course.
UncleBen-3793367
With what the Republicans have to offer, I think O'bama will be re-elected. After the Blagojevich drama has quieted down, O'bama will then pardon him, after his re-election of cours
Chenney if jailed, would have a better chance of being pardoned by Obama than Blago, most illinois politicans who served while Blago was Governor trully hated the guy.
No way Obama pardons Blago. Never happen.
Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country.
Karl Kraus
if the court didn't convicted him, do you think he would ask for any mercy? just throw a very big book at him.
President Obama Has nothing to do with Blago!
I am sick and tired of crooked politicians, put him injail for the maximum sentince, throw the keys away. The only thing he is sorry about is he is sorry he got caught.
LittleOh, if you believe that OBO has nothing to do with Blago, you need serious help.
They sleep together....
Jean,
Who is sleeping with Newt?
I hope they make him get a decent haircut for once. That damned ugly 1980's look has never done him any favors.
JMichaelG,
I believe he is channeling JFK ??? Not sure he was quite the Horndog Kennedy was tho....??
He will get a new hair cut and a bunch of new boyfriends too. BUT HE WON'T DO THE TIME. Obama will pardon the blow hard democrat before he leaves office.
Sounds to me like he's not a bit sorry he did those things but is very, very sorry he's going to jail. And how does a history of corruption in Illinois excuse him? If you did the crime, Blago, then do the time. Maybe then Illinois politics will become less corrupt if there is actual punishment attached to it.
You're exactly right - he's sorry, as are his wife and kids, that he is going to go to prison. The only issue I see with handing down a strict sentence, is that it will criminalize idiocy - wait, maybe that is a good thing...
sigh of relief it is great to finally see a white person actually get punished for a crime they commited too often around the world white people are getting away with horrific crimes. casey anthony....... giodano in aruba and countless others and it seems the more famous the better chances they have......well not in this case. Oh and yes i know about oj simpson but cases like his are a one off we here so many more these days about this type of bio characteristic and just in case anybody enquires i am mixed race white and black. i am just sick of seeing black people being punished for everything they do and dont do while everybody elses mostly gets away with it(race dependant). had to get of my chest
Vinny....are you implying that criminal actions are foundated in skin color and not aware that they eminate from the core of one's being?
I know that many of you out there will not agree with me but that is way we are allowed to leave a comment or opinion.
I feel that 14 years is a long time for someone that just did a lot of talking and no action. There are criminal's that get less time for worst things. They just wanted to use him as an example so that Chicago's politician's will shape up. George Ryan did much worst and he got less time. The system stinks. He should have just admitted that he did the wrong thing by talking to much and he could have gotten less time.
This is a sad day for this family. Now go after Jessie Jackson JR....
He is sorry!!!!! He is sorry no one would buy the bull story he was telling about selling his seat.
"I am just saying that does not call for a 15- to 20-year jail." I beg to differ, Sir. At the very least, a 20 year sentence. This man is despicable.
Do the crime...than do the time ... as simple as that!!!
This seat is F-in golden to get 14 years in jail.
He did the crime than had his 15 yr old daughter beg for his forgiveness???? Yeah, he really cares for his daughters.