The former Illinois governor is beginning his 14-year sentence on corruption charges in a federal prison in Colorado. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
It wasn't immediately clear where Rod Blagojevich's car was headed when it passed up the entrance to the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Englewood more than once.
Blagojevich had gotten off a plane to Denver from Chicago, swarmed by more reporters, on his way to begin serving his 14-year sentence. He got into a black SUV outside the airport and traveled toward the prison.
Attorney Aaron Goldstein later confirmed they initially got lost on the way to the facility and then decided to get lunch.
See video, read more about Blagojevich at NBCChicago.com
After some searching they ended up at Freddy's steak burgers, a fast-food joint where Blagojevich would have his final meal as a free man. He posed for a few photos at the restaurant, and one woman said, "You're the guy from 'The Apprentice.'"
Just after 6 a.m., Blagojevich left his Ravenswood Manor home and his family. "Saying goodbye is the hardest thing I have ever had to do," he told reporters as he got into a car leaving for O'Hare.
"I'm leaving with a heavy heart, a clear conscience," he said. "I have high, high hopes for the future. Among the hopes is now you guys can go home and our neighbors can get their neighborhood back. I'll see you guys when I see ya."
PhotoBlog: Blago courts attention, flies away for 14 years
Before he boarded an American Airlines flight, he continued to shake hands and sign autographs.

NBC News
Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich aboard a plane heading to Colorado to serve his prison sentence.
As he exited the plane in Denver, he told NBCChicago's Phil Rogers it breaks his heart to think he let down the state of Illinois.
"I'm grateful beyond words for the support and giving me the chance to serve," he said.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News


Hey, Rod, ever hear of Google Maps? Nice try.
He was lost a long time before he drove past the prison.
Saying good bye may have been the hardest thing he's had to do up to this point. Wait until he becomes the cell block bitch - there will be harder things there he will have to do.
I think "selling" your congressional seat (or governors seat or whatever) is pretty common in U.S. politics.
The reason he's going to jail is because he was stupid enough to get caught doing it.
If I was going to prison I doubt I would have that dumb-azz grin on my face!
Hey you feel the same way about Cheney? Didn't think so because justice isn't as important as partisan rhetoric is it! He got lost on the way to justice and is still no where to be found. RB deserved to be in prison but I think it is deplorable that you find his corruption less palatable than that of a mass murderer and blatantly corrupt dirt bag from the GOP. Hooray for justice unless it applies to my hero's. Even your victories are shallow and superficial and void of humanity. You have given me yet another reason to pity and despise you. Yea liberals are divisive... (Sarcasm) Here's to justice (Middle finger) and to you...
DonkeyHoty
Actually, G W Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and all involved in the torturing alone... They did HARM to the USA... NOT sure if there is a Statute of Limitations about to run out... WE the PEOPLE need to rise up and push them into being prosecuted (If any evidence remains)...
Donkeys are asses. Got your name right anyway.
This kind or corruption goes clear to the top, democrat, republican, conservative, liberal, left/right, it doesn't matter. It's happening like it has been for yrs. He just got caught. He'll get his pardon.
@ArchStanton
Government is nothing more then The Mob operating under color of law.
You don’t get caught you get whacked, made an example of.
4 reasons to whack you:
1) Talk too much, whistle blower
2) Association or activity incriminates or damages a bigger rats reputation
3) Don’t do as you’re told
4) Won’t assimilate into the corruption, aka: Mr. Smith syndrome
Any one of those (4) and you will be eliminated by either assassination or criminal prosecution, (invented or not)
Donkey & Larbear. Both 100% correct.
Hey Donkey--chill out. You're the only one spewing any partisan rhetoric and hatred. Relax.
Yeah, it's hard to understand what that razor wire represents, a top those walls and barriers.
Too, bad half the Illinois government isn't getting the same treatment!
Bye Bye Mr. Blago......See you in 14 years!.......Let's see how your colossal arrogance impresses your new cellmate.....Bubba!
Yeah..."I'm sorry"...that I got caught!
Soon to be "Broke Back Blago"!
He will write a book and people will buy this crap from this man. He will write his daily journal to sell to the fools that will pay to read it. This idiotic story is just to see how many people are still following this fool and to see if he has enough fools to sell books to.
Blogo wins, all the fools will be com'n round the mountain when the books hit the shelves.
I know, and hopefully most others know that he did not get lost on his way to prison. This man is another idiot like Jim Jones with his followers wiling and ready to drink the grape kool-aid.
He's going to a minimum security prison, not Sing Sing. They probably have hookers brought in for them.
Sorry, a "low security facility."
I don't get what the problem was. He gets to decide who the replacement was.
So he decided to sell the seat.
A crime, yes, but who was the victim? Again, he could have picked a community organizer that would make bad decisions. Or he could have picked the same person that would pay him (with or without the payment).
Really, what is the difference in choosing based on money or choosing based on who will help your political career in the future? You still get something for the seat.
There are plenty of people who have done far worse and didn't get 14 years.
In the news today, Andrea Yates, who killed 5 kids, is likely to get out after just 9 years.
So it seems like a strong sentence - oh, and what happened to the moron that replaced BO? Where is he now?
Hate to break it to you but Blago could well have sold the seat to a more effective person than the guy that replaced BO for free.
clinton committed murder and he got away with it. blago just got caught
Ryan, up there, doesn't see a victim unless there's bloodshed. I hope they lock up every white collar thief and scam artist that violate the oath of office, all the Wall St pricks, (starting with Romney), and send them to regular prison--where they get to meet new and exciting friends.
He thinks he is the next biggest thing since Elvis Presley. Besides he comes from a part of the world (ex-Yugoslavia, albeit immigrated with father at a very young age) where what he did is SOP (standard operating procedure).
He truly thinks that he has done NOTHING Wrong. That is the part many people don't fully understand. He is a fantasy in his own mind.
sandtrich - Your attitude is a perfect example of what is wrong with this country.
So you want to lock up Romney because he is wealthy?
Really?
In your mind it is a crime to be wealthy?
Is that everyone over $1 million or $250,000?
Or just anyone that actually still pays taxes?
I don't expect you or anyone else to agree with me, but god help us all if people agree with you.
You want to talk about taking things from people - Romney doesn't take anything from me.
2/3 of Federal Spending is Entitlements. The Gov't literally takes from 1/2 the country to give to the other half.
Wealthy people don't use Gov't "services", nor do they get "free" handouts. They are the ones paying for those things. If the wealthiest 20% were all put in jail like you seem to want - taxes would exceed income for the remaining 80%.
What Blago did is illegal. I question the severity of the sentence. And he is a Democrat, so I doubt you can say that is a partisan opinion on my part.
Blago is going to prison because he knows that outing his accomplices (Rahm and Barack) would get him a quick one way ticket to meet Vince Foster. Underlings that out the boss (particularly ones from Chicago) tend to be declared suicide victims. He'd much rather spend a few years at the Englewood country club.
Yes bring in the CLOWNS, we all need a good laugh .......... Gee seems that this guy got the azz end of the stick, could it be because it was Obama's seat and anything or person connected some how to that name Obama gets the shaft, one can only wonder and they say they are not RACIST, now that's another good laugh .....
I want to see the picture AFTER they shave his head. Maybe that will burst his bubble!
Q--So you want to lock up Romney because he is wealthy?
A--No, unless he violated a law, but I do think he and the other super rich are not carrying their customary share of the tax burden. A wealthy person costs this nation more than they currently contribute. No one pays the top nominal rate due to the loopholes. I think of Eisenhower and, to recover from war debt, he taxed the top earners at the rate of 91%. Romney and others pay 15%. The sign these "pledges" to Grover Norquist. I don't think it's legal for a government official to sign and abide by a pledge to an outside entity that effects the governance of this nations.
Other points
Defense consumes over half of all discretionary spending.
We're are under-taxed, but the tax should be progressive, as it always has been.
You can't lower taxes with 2 wars brewing and survive.
I don't approve of the death penalty, but I'd consider it in the case of white collar criminals that alter the lives of others in a way that they profit and the investor looses everything they've works for.
I think that every single elected official should be forced to undergo an IRS audit..
Now---some cheese with that whine?
Backing for people to get elected to government seats by groups and other politicians are "sold" in exchange of favors, platform promises, and countless handshake agreements between people all the time at all levels of government. The only thing is that this guy did not talk about it on a park bench but from his own phone, so got caught. Idiot.
in prison he will be able to sell his seat again
Ryan, when you sell the seat of a public official, the victim is the people who are to be represented.
twilightz0ne1
Ryan, when you sell the seat of a public official, the victim is the people who are to be represented.
TwilightzOne1--really well put.
I feel sorry for his two girls (16 and 9). I can only imagine what they've had and will have to go through.
Just tell me they're going to give him a serious haircut!
Lets see his shaved cranium.
Saying," goodbye" was the hardest thing he ever did? Then why was saying," F--K Y--" to the citizens of Illinois so easy for him? Get him back here,put his unremorseful ass in an orange jumpsuit and start cleaning our streets!
Since prisons are overcrowded as it is, I'd rather have every rapist, murderer, molester, pretty much any violent criminal in 'regular prison'. A little perspective please.
I am quite certain that this is not the first offense Blago has committed, just the first one on which he could be convicted....What do you expect? It's Chicago.
ellicottcity
Yeah, I hear you. But who really steals the future of others? Both the white collar and the "regular" criminal. And--the white collar jerk has to pay for his stay in prison. The studies that were shown last week in all of the major news sites revealed that the wealthy are far more prone to steal that the other subjects studied. There's plenty of rich people that have committed the very same acts that you mention--but they can afford a brilliant lawyer that can find a small technicality.
Now, please tell me--shouldn't the people that handle the life's savings be held to a high standard. Wall St and financial institutions are paying bonuses corporate as ordinary citizens took the hit and they still came back to the taxpayer for a bailout. Hell, I put those kind of people in the same category as rapists.
Doesn't it concern people that this convicted felon is getting a lot of attention from the media?
I bet there's a few former Chicago politicians hoping Blago keeps his mouth shut.... I for one see a tell all book deal.... will it be published before November?
I wonder if the jukebox at Freddie's Steak Burgers was playing Journey's song 'Don't Stop Believing' when Blago finished his meal......
.... and fade to black,
RJP got your name too Rhetorical Jackass Parrot. Rawk liberal media Squak socialist. You shouldn't be such a prick to people you don't even know. You might find that you really like the guy you think you hate so much.
Hey donn appreciate your disingenuous concern for my disposition. Take another Valium there Skippy.
I hope they shave that mop of his.
He better hurry up, Bubba's patiently waitin for his flowers and Vaseline or WD40....and bad things happen when ya keep Bubba waitin that long.....
super fascinated by gay sex eh?
He's going to a minimum-security prison. Maybe there HE'LL be "Bubba"...
Almost 1% of USA-citizens are in prison. What an American Dream. America, the land of the prisoned.
Got lost? Hah!
I'm sure he wasn't driving the vehicle according to the article, so it's not impossible to get lost if you aren't driving and paying attention. I'm sure he had a thousand things on his mind. just as any of you would under the same circumstances. It cracks me up how some of these vultures like to kick people when they are down. The very one's who don't have the balls to say this crap to the persons face.
Better question: Why the heck wasn't he in cuffs and transported via prison bus/plane the way any of us would have been? What a mockery of justice.
Even BETTER question: Why isn't Cheney in jail for life? He deserves jail far more than Blaggo
Yeah... cough... lost... That's okay though, his arrogant sense of entitlement is going to disappear rather quickly in prison, perfect for someone who could use some humbling. And David, I would have no problem saying that to his face.
Brokinarrow
Um... because just like some of us, he was given the chance to report to the jail by a certain date. So he got his affairs in order and then flew back to go do his time. It really isn't that uncommon.
I don't know why he stopped at Freddy's Steak Burgers? He will be getting a "tube steak" right when he gets to prison.
I don't think he's going to that type of prison where they have "tube steaks" ya moran. He's a cool guy and I'm sure he'll be ok in there. This isn't the type of prison where they house killers, rapists or child molesters. I wish him well.
911 actually another arcticle has already stated that there are killers there but mostly people with drug offenses.
Maybe he'll have a Rush Limbaugh type for a cell mate
That would constitute cruel and unusual punishment.
WTF??? Rush Limbaugh??? How original can you be, markle?
I seriously can't believe anyone would wish this guy well. He's going to PRISON cause he did something WRONG...he BROKE THE LAW. He's a sleezebag. Sheesh....this country sure has dumbdowned immensely. There are still quite a few people who encourage and love this kind of behavior. No wonder why we're going down the tubes. BTW Ron....we are NOT happy to have you here in Colorado....go away!
Oh yeah, I think they will have tube steaks, he sure isn't going to a women's prison..., yep "Tube steak smothered in under wear with mouth watering gravy", where there is no women they will improvise, uh hu, ut oooh... O.o
tolerant1
I, drove Transit Bus... Guys would board and another would say, "Hey Joe... Haven't seen you for a while... Where you been?"
Just spent 6 months in County Lock Up... It, was said often enough it was like a status symbol...
fascinated by gay sex eh?
911-Loosechange, Yeah Rod is a real cool,dapper guy,that you seem to admire. Like Al Capone
It is funny the way the media makes/reports news the way they want you to hear it. Media had no idea Blago was lost or just killing time prior to reporting to prison. Unreal. Media is out of control.
There should be laws to protect celebrities by keeping the media and paparazzi from sticking there cameras and mics in the face of these people. Paparazzi and media invade peoples privacy any way they can. Make laws keeping cameras and mics 20 feet away from celebrities and there vehicals for safety resons to both parties.
His lawyer said they got lost. How much more does the media need?
I agree abou the paparazzi.
Do you really think he's going into a prison where there are 'harden' criminals? I don't think so...
and about that ''last free lunch''----so whose paying for lunch for the next 14 years?
Not the state of IL., they're broke, mainly because of all the corrupt politicians like Blago, or worse.
Uh, granny, the article said "last lunch as a free man", not last free lunch.
It's the largest type up there =P Fail
bt-570026------uh----headline reads ''blago gets lost on way to prison-eats his last free lunch''----should have been written ''eats his last lunch as a free man''. even that is incorrrect since he was in custody during this free lunch he wasn't a free man.
I wonder how much time he'll actually serve???
85% of 14 years, a little under 12 years. Mandatory Federal rules.
bo will pardon him before he does a tell all...
Much more than I'd care to serve.
Jean-982597
That's the truth
That pretty much says it all about the intellect of the average American.
Hey Blago, your're fired!
Blago picked Colorado to get lost.. Obama could free Blago before leaving office in 2013.
you mean 2017 don't you ?
Even BHO is not stupid enough to pardon Blago.
Neal, do you want to rethink that? Yes he is
0123456789
On the Money correct observation and answer!
0123456789/LasrBear - Completely wrong on both your parts.
Blago getting lost ... , that was clearly 100% Bush's fault. How could you possibly have missed that?!
0123456789
That's what Fat Ed Shultz would do...if the shoe blah,blah
Jimi Maynard
I wonder how much time he'll actually serve???
---------------------------------
My guess...3 to 4 years...
http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/eng/index.jsp
"Low security" i.e. federal country club.
Tell you what then Rukem, you go serve the years if it's a country club. It's still prison.
You'd be guessing wrong. Unless the gets a pardon or wins his appeal, the best he can hope for is 52 days a year taken off for good conduct time. There is no parole in the federal system.
Ruken - Wrong. You are thinking of camps. He's at the low which is no club fed.
And unless I'm mistaken you must serve 80% of the sentence. (I could be wrong on that...but I believe that's what I heard)
NinjaCodeMan
Close, it is reported to be 85% or just under 12 years.
Federal different than state for time off for good behavior. He'll have do at least 85% or about 12 years unless he's pardoned or conviction(s) get overturned. Both unlikely.
I like th guy and think he received too harsh a sentence for what other people in his position do all the time.
Folks. He'll have to serve a minimum of 85% of his sentence. Which is just under 12 years.
If he serves 85% of his sentence that will amount to $420,000 that the tax payers will have to pay.
Coming from IL I like Rod a lot. Fitzgerald was gunning for him from the start and I think Blago's sentance was WAY too harsh. I hope Fitzgerald gets caught in the act of trying but never carrying out anything and goes to jail for life. We will miss you on the news Rod - you always made me laugh.
Melissa: If you think this idiot is such a great guy, go ahead and become a 'pen pal' of his while he's serving his sentence. He AND Obama haven't done much to help the reputation of Chicago-style politics, have they??? Two things: Take your Prozac...and then get a grip on reality.
TOPGUN--Melissa is entitled to like/dislike any person she wants. Your insulting her only proves that your reality is something you are being fed from Rush/Glenn and the rest of the Faux news crowd.
This line speaks volumes about you.
Sad that you want people that don't think like you to be medicated.
Two things: Everyone is entitled to their opinion... and it doesn't have to be the same as yours.
yeah not to mention the irony of prozac and actually reality. meh, some people are cursed with alot of hate in their hearts. theyre never happy or satisfied, even when trying to get one out on others.
why does any one take this buffoon seriously
Does anyone else think that picture looks badly photoshopped?
I had to scroll back up and look again. Yup..it certainly does.
Yeah, it sorta reminds me of a high school field trip picture.
Looking at the expression on his face, you'd think it was a high school field trip. Gotta laugh, even though he's a creep.
He could pass as an offspring of Rick Moranis and 'Potsie' Weber.
He does look like Rick Mor Anus. hehehe.. Also Id b worried about the young al-qaida boy sitting in front of him with a pipe "dream" bomb shoved up HIS anus...kaboom...
I think he looks like a Mike Myers character.
Jon you are incredibly ignorant. That boy is Hindu, do you see the bindi on his mother's forehead?
He does look awfully chipper for somebody that is going away to prison for 14 years! He must know something that we don't.
This is the guy who should get life.
Instead we are keeping two underprivileged teenagers in prison for life.
Where's the justice.
So, in your book, Rod deserves LIFE IN PRISON for what he did (which, while a betrayal, didn't really harm anyone), but the two murderers should be freed. Go start your own country, and let us know how things work out.
"Doesn't really harm anyone"?!?! Really?? What he did harms every single one of us...he tried to sell a US Senate seat!! The government is corrupt enough...it's about time those who make so start to be punished!
Under privileged teenagers? Wha....wha.....WHAT? Someone needs to step away from the "magic pills" and start thinking about joining reality here....come on in....the water's fine.
Really? Sorry I had to throw that in again.
I disagree, Tom. He "harmed" the Voters and the American people and destroyed our faith in our political system by selling the open seat to the highest bidder. How do you NOT think that he harmed us? I truly believe that politicians and CEO's are to be held to the highest standards of integrity! Though life in prison is rather extreme, i do feel that 14-25 years is perfect to act as a deterrent.
He might of suggested it but never followed through. He's a big talker that's it! He's harmless. He did nothing and did not hurt anyone. We're gonna miss you Blago.....
911 loosechange
QUOTE: "He might of suggested it but never followed through. He's a big talker that's it! He's harmless."
So, some Terrorist just in the talking planning stage should be allowed to do their evil deed? After all what's the harm in their just talking???
That person that got that seat is just as guilty and should also be in prison
LOL @ the idea that RB "destroyed our faith in our political system" Any faith I had (which as a kid is blind faith when it comes to gov't) was gone the first day I paid attention to the news. What a mistake that was 20 years or so ago...
I just wish he had Obama for a room mate!
Really? I think he'd do better w/you as a cellmate.
I cant blame him for wanting one last tasty meal before 14 years of jail food. I would have done the same giving the opportunity. That said, I would not have gotten myself in his position to start with. Idiot. Thought he was too big for his britches...
You never know what type of situation you can end up in. Many times people don’t think they are doing anything “wrong” yet end up in trouble. Not that the statement applies to this case necessarily. Read the book “Three Felonies a Day”. Sometimes you end up in trouble when you don’t expect it. So your statement is really a bit disdainful and pompous.
Illinois has to be the most disappointing state in the union. So much corruption and demagoguery And yet you see the incredible political power that the state wields in the government. The rest of the country must be crazy for letting this morally and economically bankrupt zoo dominate American politics.
And on that note "What state is our President from?"
I'm from Chicago, although I now live in Boston in the State of Taxachusetts. ha! I remember voting for Blago when he first ran for Congress. He was very popular. He seemed good. Well, never mind that now. But in reality, yes, he did hurt voters and the American political system but it's been lousy all these years! He certainly didn't invent it! He is a product of the system in Illinois, you know, the State where dead people vote. I'm not saying any of this is right...it isn't! But they tend to think they're immune because there aren't a whole lot of good honest politicians to show them any other way. Good God...the former Governor is also in jail! Kinda' like the Boston Speaker of the House on Beacon Hill...they're all going to jail too. It's all a game to all of them...then, they're caught. One goes off to jail and the others scatter...until it's safe to come out again, then the routine starts all over again until another one is caught, then... And on and on we go. I wonder if any of them ever thought of representing the people's interests, you know, those of us who vote for them. What a concept!
Why? Political corruption happens in every single state.
I was thinking more about the state(s) that want to make miscarriages a criminal offense as a lot more disappointing. Or the state(s) that want to legally rape women to try to guilt them out of an abortion. How about a state that wants to force a vaccination onto children because there are ties to the company that makes it?
I can think of a whole host of other states that are far more disappointing.
Decided to stop for lunch while headed off to many years in prison? This guy is one of the nuttiest people I've ever seen. He still doesn't seem to get it. How can you smile while heading off to prison?
Ever heard of putting on a brave face? Ever hear of trying to get a few moments of normalcy before the inevitable.
I know very little about Rod. He might be a good guy who did something bad...or he might be a total scumbag... I don't know.
But if anything, smiling in the face of adversity demonstrates courage and adversity. Blagoyevich may not be admirable in any other way....but you have to respect him for this.
Hey is that Billy Joel behind him? One more time around the block fellas!
You're right - it kind of looks like Joel!
Leggo my Blago!
Just felt like saying that for some reason. Hope he serves as much of the sentence as possible.
Hope your boyfriend/cellmate is cute. You should have been placed in a cell next to Governor Ryan. After what you said about him, He should at least have been the one that welcomed you to prison. Hypocrit!
What he did was absolutely wrong but 14 years seems like a lot. There are murderers that receive lighter sentences.
I agree that he should be in jail but he seems like a very likable guy.
He is a very likable guy. He just likes talking too much. He didn't hurt anyone. What's the big effen deal....
911 loosechange
Same reply to you up page... He did NOT get convicted for just talking....
So, some Terrorist just in the talking planning stage should be allowed to do their evil deed? After all, what's the harm in their just talking???
Difference is, he's not a terrorist! he was found "Not Guilty" the first time he was tried. Some people were not happy with that outcome so they figured let's waste more "Taxpayers money" and try him again. If you're not form IL you don't know the entire story so buzz off.....
loosechange,
Even if people are from Illinois, I'm sure nobody has the entire story.
someone will slap that smile off his goofy ass.
nah i don't think so. He makes friends easily so don't worry, he'll be fine. When he comes out, he'll be like a rock star all over again. The guy helped out alot of people when he was in office especially older people and women. The sentence was way too harsh.
no, id say bitch slapped is more like it, I'm sure the wagers were out once the inmates found out he was headed there, he will be someones b*tch for sure,
He got lost? Just more arrogance from this moron. Showing up late should get him an additional 6 months.
He's not late if he got there before midnight.
Chill out! it happens...
Don't forget, he wasn't driving. His lawyer was ... so Blago didn't get lost, his lawyer did.
Blago is a jerk, but 14 years is a ridiculous sentence for the crime........people convicted of manslaughter do less than that....sad...
You are so correct.
In fact, if you are an NFL wide receiver - Donte Stallworth - drive drunk and kill a guy, you get 28 days.
He is not gonna do 14 yrs ....you can take that to the bank.
He's doing 4 years for the crime..., and 10 years for that hairstyle.
why do we glorify these a-holes?
he should be on a bus, in chains, like any other convicted felon
criminy...wTF?
My dear, I'm afraid he's going to a low security, glamour slammer. He's much too pretty to be housed and a "regular" prison. Many are railing against him going to a low security prision.
Regardless of what kind of prison it is, prison is prison. I can't imagine not having my freedom.
Exactly, c.smith. I actually read the MSNBC article that explained all the freedoms he's losing, and I would NEVER want to find myself in even the most minimum-sec prisons. How's that saying go? "You don't like the rules? Then don't come here!" Seems silly to make an example out of only this one guy, he sure pissed the wrong person off.