* Sun-Times…
Federal prosecutors want former Gov. Rod Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years in prison all over again.
But Blagojevich hopes the federal judge who originally hammered him with that 14-year sentence will reconsider and give him as little as five years behind bars.
Blagojevich has already been locked up for four years in a Colorado prison. Next month, his battle to overturn his conviction could land him back in front of U.S. District Judge James Zagel for re-sentencing, after years of cries that Blagojevich was dealt too severe a punishment. The feds stood by the sentence in a sentencing memo filed just before midnight Monday, though.
“Corruption spreads unless it is deterred,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Riggs Bonamici wrote in the memo. “Public officials who gain from corrupt deals are incentivized to do more, and successes inspire other public officials to see if they can do it too.”
* Tribune…
Blagojevich’s activities behind bars could become a focal point of his resentencing. As part of his filing Wednesday, [Blagojevich’s lawyer, Leonard Goodman] included letters from more than 100 inmates in the Littleton, Colo., prison camp describing Blagojevich as kind, a mentor and a man with the utmost respect for the law.
“To forgive and not hold resentment is not an easy thing to do,” wrote one inmate, identified by his initials F.H. “Rod has taught me that it only harms myself to be bitter about my circumstance. He has taught me that the ‘wheels of justice’ do turn, even at times if justice seems slow in coming.”
While Zagel could simply let his original sentence stand, many legal experts believe the judge will recognize the dismissal of some of the counts by shaving off some time.
Prosecutors filed their motion just a minute before the midnight deadline.
- Just Me - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:09 am:
I say let him out now. We could all use the entertainment he would bring to the current chaos in state government.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:09 am:
I expect he will get a few years shaved off as well. Don’t think he will leave the sentence as it is, but won’t go down as far as the defense wants. Somewhere in the 10 range.
- allknowingmasterofracoondom - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:10 am:
The entire Blago episode seems like a hundred years ago, and oh so trivial compared to what we face now.
- truth squad - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:12 am:
“100 letters from fellow inmates”?
Cons usually know a good Con Man.
- A guy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:16 am:
I do hope Judge Zagel trims some time off the sentence. Rod was guilty as sin, but his extreme arrogance and lack of cooperation inspired a sentence that was just too long. I’m no fan of his at all, but I would like to see this sentence reduced to about 7 years from the original 14. Whatever lesson a guy like Rod will learn can be learned in 7 years without freedom and away from his family.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:19 am:
GHR was sentenced to 6 1/2 years.
Rod was sentenced to 14 years.
Rod should probably get less than the 14 years, but probably not less the GHR’s 6 1/2 years.
Rod’s arrogance and hubris got Rod the 14 years, up to the very moment of sentencing, and although Rod seems repentant in his new statement, even sounding as though he understands he did wrong, and Rod admitting that, wow.
I feel terrible for his daughters, the same I felt on the days of his conviction, his sentencing, and reporting to prison on that odd day.
More than GHR, less than 14 years. That was right, had Rod kept himself in check, and it’s still right now, not because of contrition, but because of the merits of the case that incarcerated Rod.
- Free Rod - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:21 am:
Murderers and other violent criminals often get less time in prison than Rod Blagojevich. Enough already. Let him go.
- Chungas revenge - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:22 am:
Because he never made a dime off of his crimes and was basically convicted for just being a dope, cut it to seven years.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:23 am:
“Blagojevich has also been singing in a prison band, The Jailhouse Rockers, although the band took a hiatus after the lead guitar player was released from custody.”
If he’s turned lose, will any open mic be safe from the threat of Blago?
– MrJM
- slow down - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:30 am:
Rod’s conduct as Governor was disgraceful and his removal from office was just, but 14 years was an absurd number. It should be significantly reduced.
- AlfondoGonz - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:30 am:
So if he says he’s sorry he gets out early? The only reason he got 14 years is because he refused to take accountability for undermining the democratic system. Let him rot.
- One of the 35 - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:38 am:
I’ve often wondered whenever Rod gets out, what will he do? How will he make a living? Maybe try to write a book? Appear on talk shows again? Get a gig as a TV commentator?
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:39 am:
Can we banish him? Make it illegal to ever show up in Illinois again?
- Snucka - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:42 am:
He should probably get 8-10. Zagel is probably the worst judge he could have hoped for, and he is unlikely to reduce it by more than a couple of years.
- d.p.gumby - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:50 am:
Let him out…after the Virginia Governor’s U.S. Supreme Court decision, Blago’s case looks weaker than ever.
- Belle - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:51 am:
I never liked Blago and did not vote for him. He was so creepy with that big hair and cocky attitude.
Let the dude out already. Who knows what he’ll do next but keeping his mouth shut should be a condition of his release.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 9:52 am:
===after the Virginia Governor’s U.S. Supreme Court decision===
RRB’s own attorney said that case had no bearing on this one.
- Stones - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:19 am:
Rod dug his own hole deeper with his arrogance and refusal to accept responsibility. If the dude fell on his sword even just a little I might have some pity for his family but without owning his actions I can’t see reducing the current sentence.
- Regular democrat - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:23 am:
Entertaining guy but lousy governor. I expect the judge to knock off a few years. I wonder how much it would help if he penned a letter to the judge and explained himself. He certainly seems humbled.
- Former legislative aide - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:32 am:
I never voted for Blago, but find it offensive that Judges Rovner and Zagel ruled in this case, as they were high ranking officials in the Thompson administration - one where getting a job, promotion or a job transfer required a contribution, according to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Rutan decision.
- 37B - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:41 am:
11 years, 10 months. Under federal rules he’ll serve approximately 10 years. I agree with Belle to a degree: If he agrees not to open his mouth I’d shave off some more time. I do think that the disparity in sentencing between his sentence and that of Gov. Ryan’s raises some aspect of unfairness. Maybe it was Ryan’s age. Maybe it was Julius Hoffman-style irritation from Judge Zagel.
Rod was especially irksome because I was a state employee at the time of his crimes and we really needed a governor while he was hiding out in the bathroom, going to the tailor and extorting Children’s Hospital. Arggh. I’m still mad. So yes, 10 years is probably vindictive.
- Illinois Bob - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:42 am:
14 years seems a lot by comparison to violent crimes. Perhaps some sort of “deal” could be made to parole him with pre-conditions that he doesn’t run for office, work as a lobbyist or work for any company that does business with Illinois government for the rest of his life.
Perhaps denying him use of hair dye should also be included but is his vanity would that be considered “cruel and unusual punishment?
- Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 10:43 am:
If the ideas Cheryl 44 or Belle proposed could be plausible….Otherwise no reduction.
- pundent - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:07 am:
I do think that the disparity in sentencing between his sentence and that of Gov. Ryan’s raises some aspect of unfairness.
Although public opinion might suggest otherwise, I don’t think the sentencing guidelines call for a review of prior sentences of corrupt governors (or congressmen for that matter).
Judges have a great deal of latitude in handing down a sentence and the conduct of the defendant can make a huge difference (ask Denny Hastert about that). What made Blago’s crimes particularly outrageous was the premise upon which he took office. He was the guy that was going to restore ethics and integrity to the governors office. Once elected he did the exact opposite. He also decided to make a complete mockery of the justice and judicial system. He blatantly abused the public’s trust and then flaunted it. In short, his sentence is a direct consequence of his behavior.
I suspect that Zagel may shave a year or two off of his sentence as recognition of the dismissed counts. I don’t expect much more than that.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:24 am:
In his time as governor, Rod Blagojevich he took no action on a backlog of more than 2,800 clemency requests. He was too busy using his office to fill his pockets.
Rod Blagojevich can stay right where he is.
– MrJM
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:41 am:
this case is simply not deserving of such a long sentence. people who physically harm others are given much lower sentences. let him out.
- Steve Schnorf - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:46 am:
His original sentence was absurd, and now the courts have thrown out almost a third of the counts he was convicted of. An ambitious US Attorney and a vindictive judge. Did he deserve some time? Sure, but almost 15 years? C’mon, what a travesty. 6 or 7 years at most.
- pundent - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 11:58 am:
=this case is simply not deserving of such a long sentence. people who physically harm others are given much lower sentences. let him out.=
If this is the litmus test then Bernie Madoff should be released as well.
So if your crimes involve 12+ million victims (the people of the State of Illinois) what should the appropriate sentence be?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:02 pm:
Mr. JM, your comment about his inaction on clemency petitions is spot-on.
As ye sow…
- Soccermom - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:02 pm:
The comment above is from me.
- DuPage - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:07 pm:
As much as I don’t like Blago, I think the judge was biased against Blago. Tapes were played, which seemed to be out of context. When the defense wanted to play portions before or after the ones that were played, they were not allowed. What were they hiding? Even the guilty are supposed to have a fair trial.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:21 pm:
=Even the guilty are supposed to have a fair trial.=
The appellate court ruled that he did.
- anonymous#2 - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 12:56 pm:
Let him out and let him talk!!! I remember that tiny little line about what the FBI stake-out guy said at the Rezko trial.
- gg - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:10 pm:
Let Rod out.
We have punished his children enough.
- atsuishin - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 2:53 pm:
and they wanted a few months for our former child molester of a speaker!? My faith in the u.s. attorneys’ cognitive capacity is being tested.
- Hoping for Rational Thought - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 3:00 pm:
Blago administration laid the foundation for many of the issues we see today. He never cared for anyone but himself. Period. He shows no remorse or regret. He should do the time.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Jul 12, 16 @ 4:37 pm:
I’ve known Judge Zagel for over 35 years. Schnorf, have to disagree with you on the “vindictive” characterization. Zagel grew up, if you will, as one of Jim Thompson’s AUSA’s and later headed Revenue and State Police before taking the bench. He knew what a functioning State Government looked like. He may have been outraged at Rod’s “administration” along with his crimes. Rod received a sentence consistent with the guidelines and I would expect that he will be resentenced in the same manner.
- Leave a Light on George - Wednesday, Jul 13, 16 @ 6:53 am:
George Ryan put a “For Sale” sign up Sec. of State Office and got 6/12 years.
Blago put a “For Sale” sign up at the Gov’s office and got 14 years.
HIgher office. No lessoned learned from previous governor’s bad behavior. Seems like an appropriate sentence to me.