blagojevich
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Cellini juror runs from courtroom: ‘Leave me alone!’
A juror at the trial of convicted Springfield businessman William Cellini — a longtime behind-the-scenes power broker in Illinois politics — said Friday she doesn’t know why she lied during jury selection about having two criminal convictions. Candy Chiles answered questions from U.S. District Judge James Zagel during a hearing Friday. Cellini’s attorneys are seeking a new trial, saying Chile’s convictions disqualified her from jury service.
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Judge calls effort to get new trial for Blagojevich ‘harebrained’
A judge Monday denied a request by impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s attorneys to have an emergency hearing on a juror’s potential misconduct, calling the request “harebrained.”
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Blago lawyers seek new trial, allege jury foreperson broke court rules
Defense attorneys for convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich are asking a federal judge for an emergency hearing to find out if the jury foreperson broke court rules and improperly has a copy of her own questionnaire. If so, Blagojevich deserves a new trial, his defense …Read More
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Blagojevich gets another month till he must report to prison
A federal judge in Chicago agreed Tuesday to delay the start of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s prison term by one month to give Blagojevich time to help his family move to a new home.
Rod Blagojevich’s Facebook message: Happy New Year, we will persevere
Rod Blagojevich, scheduled to report to federal prison this year after being sentenced to 14 years for corruption while governor, wished his supporters a happy new year on his wife’s Facebook page Sunday. “Patti and I want to wish all of you a Happy New …
‘Sorry’ Blagojevich gets 14-year prison sentence
Disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was sentenced Wednesday to 14 years in prison after he made a final plea for leniency, acknowledging his guilt and saying, “I am unbelievably sorry. ... I have nobody to blame but myself for my stupidity and actions.”
Political reaction: No joy, but Blagojevich had it coming
SPRINGFIELD — From Rod Blagojevich’s former Republican rival to the Democrat who helped drive his impeachment, Illinois’ political elite pitied the ex-governor’s children Wednesday but agreed his stiff prison sentence was deserved. “Justice was served by the sentence meted out by the judge today,” Gov. …
Judge recommends prison drug rehab for Rod Blagojevich
A judge has agreed to recommend that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich be put into a prison drug rehab when he begins his 14-year sentence for corruption. Blago’s lawyer says it stems from a confidential report from probation officials — and didn’t know what he would be treated for if accepted into the program.
Blagojevich unlikely to land in ‘Club Fed’
Most people think corrupt politicians get to spend their prison time in cushy confines, referring to it as “Club Fed.” But because of Rod Blagojevich’s lengthy sentence prison sentence of 14 years, it’s highly unlikely he will initially qualify for a prison camp – the …
Former gov’s corruption case changed a lot of other lives
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is headed to prison after a federal judge sentenced him Wednesday to 14 years. He’s not the only one impacted by the federal probe that led to his conviction. Here’s a look at some of the others caught up in …
Fawell’s tip to Blagojevich: Cut time off sentence with prison rehab
Scott Fawell, the former chief of staff of a different convicted governor, George Ryan, is offering a tip on how Rod Blagojevich can cut his lengthy 14-year sentence. The former governor may be able to make a request with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to …
Robert Blagojevich’s tears for his brother: ‘It’s just grossly unfair’
Robert Blagojevich said he’s cried three times in the last 25 years. When his mother died. When his father died. And when he heard his brother, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, had been sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Airline has Blagojevich-themed ‘Slammer Sale’
It didn’t take Spirit Airlines long to capitalize on Rod Blagojevich’s 14-year prison sentence. The Florida-based airline, which flies out of O’Hare Airport, is now offering a “Slammer Sale,” featuring $14 one-way airfares. The ads show an Illinois license plate with Abraham Lincoln in the …
Juror on sentence: ‘It was a good amount of time’
The judge nailed it, said jurors who heard the evidence against Rod Blagojevich. Not only was the 14-year prison term appropriate, but the reasoning U.S. District Judge James Zagel used in coming up with the punishment answered a lot of questions, said Naperville’s Connie Wilson, …
Excerpts from Blagojevich’s statement: ‘I am just so incredibly sorry’
“I want to thank your honor for giving me this opportunity. I have a tendency sometimes to speak before I think. I’ve had plenty of time over the past several months to do a lot of thinking, reflecting about all that’s happened and all the …
Excerpts from Zagel’s sentencing: ‘The fabric of Illinois is torn’
“His abuse of the office of governor … is more damaging than the abuse of any other office in the United States except president.” ◆ ◆ ◆ “In the end, his defense morphed into a claim that he did not believe his proposals were ‘quid …
Keeping score: How much time past pols got
Three of the longest sentences ever handed down to corrupt Illinois politicians went to judges snared in the Operation Greylord probe of judicial corruption and its successor investigations. † Judge Reginald J. Holzer: convicted in 1986 of shaking down lawyers and real estate dealers, initially …
Blagojevich arrives home to questions, support: ‘You can do it, man!’
A noisy news helicopter hovered high overhead. Reporters, photographers and cameramen jammed the street around the former governor and his wife. A small group of well-wishers pushed close. One woman, who identified herself as a breast cancer survivor, was in tears. “I went through chemo, …
Judge sides against Blago on key issues; daughter makes plea
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich faced multiple setbacks throughout the first day of his sentencing hearing, with several key rulings going against him.
Blagojevich’s sentencing judge known for impartiality
James Zagel’s background is in law enforcement, but he’s carved out a reputation as a judge who plays it right down the middle, favoring neither the defense nor the prosecution. That’s the man who will write the final act to the Rod Blagojevich drama. A onetime prosecutor and head of the Illinois State Police, Zagel is a federal judge who sticks to the law and is not easily influenced by the media or outside factors, lawyers and courtroom observers say.
