This just in…
Monday, Jun 22, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller
* 11:27 am - Chris Kelly gets 37 months…
Christopher Kelly, a former adviser and chief fundraiser for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was sentenced to 37 months in prison today on federal tax fraud charges for concealing his use of corporate funds to cover gambling debts.
Kelly had faced up to 4 years in prison. He pleaded guilty to the charges in January, admitting he underreported his roofing company’s profits by nearly $500,000 from 2001 through 2005.
More…
Christopher Kelly apologized profusely to U.S. District Judge Elaine Bucklo, but she was unmoved and handed down the 37-month prison term.
“I am deeply sorry to the court and the people I’ve embarrassed by my actions,” Kelly told the judge. “I know they’re wrong. I’m sorry, your honor.”
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There was no mention in court of any negotiating Kelly may have been doing to cooperate in the Blagojevich investigation. Kelly’s second case,is expected to go to trial in September. Kelly is charged with taking part in a kickback scheme to rip off United and American Airlines at O’Hare International Airport through a roofing company he owned.
Bucklo allowed Kelly to surrender for his sentence on Nov. 2.
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Kelly also is a co-defendant in the corruption trial of Blagojevich.
- Ghost - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 11:33 am:
Hmm I wonder if this was part of a plea deal.
- Speaking at Will - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 11:43 am:
My recollection is that Kelly never did cooperate with the Feds.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 11:44 am:
If it was it was a pretty bad deal.
- Ghost - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 11:44 am:
The whole thing is odd, it seeems like kelly is cooperating, but that sentence is on the hgh side for the charges brought.
On the other hand, the cooperation may be about the charges they are not going to bring.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 12:35 pm:
Ooops, the Player gets dealt another bad hand!
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 1:16 pm:
Is he going to stand on his head for all this? Interesting.
Federal time isn’t like state time, where you get a day off for every good day inside. You have to do about 80% of your sentence.
- One of the 35 - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 1:18 pm:
For those who are more legally astute, if he is found guilty of futher misdeeds associated with Blago, would the sentences run concurrently or on top of each other?
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 1:26 pm:
–For those who are more legally astute, if he is found guilty of futher misdeeds associated with Blago, would the sentences run concurrently or on top of each other?–
Solely up to the judge. In practice, I suspect more often than not they go concurrently. Consecutive sentences are generally put on the most despicable violent criminals.
- Leave a light on George - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 3:43 pm:
Here is an opportunity to fumigate Gov. Q. (and get folks like me in your tax hike corner).
Get rid of any state employee who was recommended by Chris Kelly, Tony Rezko, Stu Levine, Lon Monk. I have more names but this would be a good start.
- Lucy - Monday, Jun 22, 09 @ 8:07 pm:
Leave a light on—you forgot the godfather Cellini