Rod Blagojevich Prison: Court Overturns Several Convictions — Is Blago Going Home?
Rod Blagojevich had several of his convictions overturned today. Although the former Illinois Governor is probably pleased that he might not have to serve all of the remaining 12 years of his 14-year sentence, “Blago” is not getting out of prison just yet.
On Tuesday afternoon, a federal appeals court overturned some of the many Rod Blagojevich convictions. The Democratic governor was convicted on a variety of charges stemming from his attempt to auction off Barack Obama’s Senate seat. The Blago convictions vacated by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago shocked many observers of American politics.
Federal appeals court overturns some of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s convictions. http://t.co/4MqTg3GPe0 pic.twitter.com/ThV4Jpj1n4
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) July 21, 2015
The federal court decision reportedly means that Blago, 58, A.K.A. Inmate No. 40892-424, may not have to serve all of his original prison sentence. Blagojevich is currently serving time at a federal correctional facility in Colorado.
https://youtu.be/6kvf_SzpRy8
The court dismissed five of the 18 counts and ordered that Blagojevich be resentenced. The decision also stated that even though several convictions were tossed, that does not mean the original 14-year prison sentence was too high.
#BREAKING NEWS: Appeals court overturns some convictions of Fmr. Gov. Rod Blagojevich http://t.co/z4HsJ2MGYx pic.twitter.com/ndzT2xXa5c
— FOX 32 News (@fox32news) July 21, 2015
Blago served two terms as governor in Illinois and maintained his innocence in the Barack Obama Senate Seat allegations case for several years while making the talk show rounds. During a 2011 retrial, Blagojevich tearfully told the court that while he was a flawed man, he was not a criminal.
A jury of his peers ultimately convicted Blago on 18 counts. A total of 11 of the counts related to charges that he attempted to swap an appointment to the vacant Obama US Senate seat for campaign cash or a job. Blagojevich once reportedly mused about being named as the ambassador to India. The Democrat was also convicted on multiple play-to-play schemes which reportedly included a campaign donation shakedown from the Children’s Memorial Hospital of Chicago.
Blagojevich’s 14-year prison term was the longest sentence given to a governor convicted of crimes in the state – four of the last seven Illinois governors were arrested, convicted, and sent to prison.
[Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images]
