Blagojevich gets another month till he must report to prison

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Rod Blagojevich

Updated: January 15, 2012 8:11AM

A federal judge agreed Tuesday to delay the start of convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s prison term for corruption by one month to give Blagojevich time to help his family move to a new home.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel agreed Tuesday to let Blagojevich report to prison March 15. Blagojevich, 55, previously was to begin serving his 14-year term on Feb. 16.

Zagel also agreed to recommend that Blagojevich be sent to the low-security Englewood federal prison in Littleton, Colo., outside of Denver.

That’s where Larry Warner, co-defendant of former Gov. George Ryan, served two years on his conviction for conspiring with Ryan to steer state contracts his way.

Blagojevich had wanted to do his prison time at an even lower-security federal prison camp, but that’s generally not an option for anyone sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.

The final say on where he will do his time is up to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

Blagojevich lawyer Sheldon Sorosky said he isn’t sure why Blagojevich wanted to do his time in Colorado, 1,000 miles from Chicago, when other facilities, such as Milan, Mich., would be closer. He said the Blagojevich family has “absolutely no plans” to move to Colorado.

The Blagojevich home has been on the market for several months, and its listing price was recently reduced.

Blagojevich was convicted earlier this month of corruption charges that included accusations he tried to sell or trade — for campaign cash or a top job — an appointment to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President Barack Obama’s election.