Ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s 14-year sentence upheld

“Ironically, this is a man who ran for office on restoring the integrity of Illinois”, Zagel said.

Blagojevich became the second consecutive IL governor convicted of corruption.

In what may be one of the more eagerly awaited closed-circuit television appearances by a federal prisoner, former IL governor Rob Blagojevich is expected on Tuesday to speak directly to the judge who sentenced him and ask to be let out of prison sooner. He was booked into a Colorado prison in March 2012.

His 14-year sentence, however, was ultimately upheld.

In 2011, Blagojevich was convicted of multiple charges, including lying to federal agents, carrying out shakedowns for campaign cash and trying to sell Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat during the presidential election in 2008. But the high court refused to hear the longshot appeal.

Earlier this year, though, the U.S.

Testifying on a video feed from a federal prison in Colorado, Blagojevich said he had been too ambitious and he recognized his actions had put him in prison. They said he has repeatedly expressed regret for his mistakes but never acknowledged criminal conduct or admitted to doing something illegal.

“When it is the governor who goes bad, the fabric of IL is torn and disfigured and not easily or quickly repaired”. He said Blagojevich remained as guilty as when he was first convicted and sentenced.

“I experience very real sadness when I think of my family and I blame myself for that”, he said. He said being away from his family has given him something to work for.

He shook his head and stared stoically into the camera as Zagel, the same judge who sent Blagojevich to prison in the first place more than four years ago, ordered he remain in prison for his original 168-month sentence. “And I’m sorry. I wish I could find a way to turn the clock back”. The appeals court said in its ruling last year that Blagojevich wasn’t necessarily entitled to a lower sentence, adding that the 14-year term fell below what federal guidelines recommended.

Blagojevich, who is being held in a prison near Denver, appeared at the hearing via video.

The sentence: 14 years.

His attorney Lawrence Goodman is asking for a sentence reduction to five years followed by supervised release. But the former governor noted that he never collected any fraudulent monies, and that he had spent his time behind bars “improving himself as a person, through hard work, while also being of service to other inmates”.

Rod Blagojevich started crying and wiping his eyes when his daughters took the stand at his resentencing hearing.

“I nearly don’t want to grow up because I want to wait for him”, she added. Damning evidence of his alleged malfeasance surfaced, including a tape on which the former governor allegedly proclaimed in part, “I’ve got this thing, and it’s f-king golden”.

During the years he’s been incarcerated, Blagojevich has learned to play guitar, according to court documents.

Outside of the court, his wife, Pattie, said her husband’s strength will get their family through his absence. Blagojevich’s wife Patti and daughters Amy and Anne were in court Tuesday. Prosecutors oppose the request, stating that Blagojevich, who appeared on “Celebrity Apprentice” while awaiting trial in the sensational case, has failed to accept responsibility or show remorse. Another Blagojevich attorney read court letters of support from Blagojevich’s fellow inmates.

The Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals past year tossed convictions tying Blagojevich’s bid to win a White House appointment for appointing someone to Obama’s Senate seat.

As governor, Blagojevich was famously fastidious about his dark hair.

Prosecutors want that sentence preserved.