Disgraced former IL governor Rod Blagojevich, with his white hair, wearing a prison jumpsuit, told a federal judge here in Chicago via a video feed, that he recognizes his words and actions led him to his Colorado prison and he apologized, saying he’s trying to be a better man.
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U.S. District Judge James Zagel – the same judge who handed down the 14-year sentence in 2011 – rejected the bid for lenient sentencing Tuesday.
Inside the courtroom, both of his daughters burst into tears.
Before his 20 minutes of testimony, Blagojevich’s two daughters, 13-year-old Annie and 20-year-old Amy, offered support for their father.
Earlier this year, though, the U.S.
Afterward, the ex-governor’s wife, Patti Blagojevich, told reporters: “I’m dumbfounded and flabbergasted at the inability of the judge to see things are different than what they were four and a half years ago”.
Blagojevich wanted to cut his 14-year sentence after an appeals court threw out 5 of 18 convictions.
As governor, Blagojevich was famously fastidious about his dark hair, but hair dyes are banned in prison. As federal law requires him to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, Blagojevich will be able to go free in 2024, CBS Chicago reported.
As the judge announced his decision, Blagojevich could be seen on screen bowing his head.
“This man gets 14 years for not getting one dime of political corruption money”, said Sam Adam Jr., who led Blagojevich’s defense team for his first trial.
In making his decision Zagel said “these are serious crimes that had an impact on the people of IL”.
Speaking via close circuit television, Blagojevich himself apologized for his crimes, saying he had been too ambitious. “Trying to make amends for that”.
“We speak every night, he helps me with my homework, he knows everything”, Annie said.”I nearly don’t want to grow up because I want to wait for him”.
“I’m a very different person”, he said, concluding his remarks.
Zagel told Tuesday’s hearing that Blagojevich’s exemplary behavior behind bars wasn’t relevant to deciding on an appropriate punishment.
Blagojevich was given the chance to plead his case, but he did not read from a written statement.
Blagojevich’s wife and brother showed up at court and the former governor appeared via video conference from a Colorado prison.
She added, “I am pleading with you, indeed begging you, to please be merciful”.
Lawyers also submitted more than 100 letters from prisoners, some of whom referred to Blagojevich as “The Gov”.
Attorney Leonard Goodman was the first to speak as Blagojevich looked on via videoconference.
After the appellate court’s finding, Blagojevich appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to toss his remaining convictions, including one for trying to extort a children’s hospital for a campaign contribution and lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Many portrayed Blagojevich – known as brash in his days as governor – as humble and self-effacing, as well as an insightful life coach and lecturer on everything from the Civil War to Richard Nixon.
The judges didn’t say Blagojevich was necessarily entitled to a lower sentence than the one imposed on December 7, 2011, given “overwhelming” evidence on the remaining felonies.
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In an impassioned letter entered into the court record Monday evening, his wife, Patti Blagojevich, asked Zagel for leniency for her husband for the sake of their two daughters.
