It's been a while, but if you remember back to last year, Illinois governor Rob Blagojevich found himself in some hot water after he tried to sell current President Obama's senate seat. Though he and his lawyers constantly denied the allegations were illegal, they both now acknowledge the fact. Blagojevich apologized to the judge prior to the sentencing saying "I want to apologize to the people of Illinois, to the court, for the mistakes I have made. … I never set out to break the law." The Lawyers pushed for leniency stating (through a letter from his wife) "The punishment that he fears the most, one that would be most devastating would be that he would not be able to see his daughters grow. Please be merciful."
Blagojevich continously and vehemently lied about the scheme to sell the seat, at some points saying he did try, but didn't succeed, that he never did it at all, and that he wasn't seeking personal gain through the thing. The Judge and jurors saw it differently however, and found him guilty. One former prosecuter said that the sentencing judge would likely hand down a harsh sentence as Blagojevich symbolizes the corruption and distrust that has distanced so many millions of Americans from politicians and fostered a growing disdain for government and politics in general saying. He expects Blagojevich's sentence to stand as an example to other politicians saying "Those of you out for personal gain will be separated from your families for a very, very long time."
Blagojevich will be the fourth Illinois governor sentenced to jail for corruption charges since 1970s.
http://news.yahoo.com/judgment-day-blagojevich-sentencing-161754110.html
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