The former governor is scheduled to be re-sentenced August 9 after the United States Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals overturned five of the 18 counts on which he was convicted.
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The wife of disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich says she and her family are disappointed with a federal appeals court’s decision Tuesday to overturn five of 18 counts against her husband. A federal appeals court past year dismissed several counts against the former governor and ordered he be resentenced, but the three-judge panel called the evidence against him “overwhelming” and made it clear Zagel’s original sentence was not out of bounds.
They also said that Blagojevich has never taken responsibility for his crimes. Further, it is revealed that the ex-governor, who long fancied himself as an Elvis Presley clone, is lead singer for a prison musical group called “The Jailhouse Rockers”.
Prosecutors said in their 14-page filing that “nothing in the dismissal of the five counts undermines the need for a very significant sentence”.
Blagojevich’s request relies on a number of character letters written by fellow inmates who claim he is an optimistic person and a model prisoner.
Meanwhile Goodman revisited previously unsuccessful arguments from Blagojevich’s trial, including the contention that Blagojevich was only seeking campaign contributions to “advance his political agenda” and not for personal gain.
However, Zagel is not expected to significantly reduce one of the longest corruption sentences ever imposed in IL.
Blagojevich, who also taught GED courses at the prison, studied guitar and vocals with “Ernie B” until the inmate was ultimately released and the group was forced to disband.
Even in its ruling past year, the appeals court did not hint that the sentence should be reduced. He is now serving a 14-year sentence at the Federal Penitentiary in Englewood, Colorado. In March, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Blagojevich’s appeal on the remaining corruption convictions.
Ahead of ex-Gov.Rod Blagojevich’s resentencing hearing next month, government prosecutors are pushing for him to serve his full sentence. Then in May, the same court, without comment, rejected his long-shot petition that urged the court to take another look at the case.
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He can’t be released until early 2024 at the earliest under his current sentence.
