Dec. 9, 2008: Federal agents arrest Blagojevich at 6 a.m. at his Ravenswood Manor home. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald (right) releases a stunning criminal complaint where Blagojevich is on tape calling his power to appoint to Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat “f---ing golden.” Fitzgerald famously describes the sitting governor’s conduct as a political corruption “crime spree” that would have “Lincoln rolling over in his grave.”

Rod Blagojevich leaves his home through the back ally on his birthday on Dec. 10, 2008, one day after charges were announced against him. Blagojevich did not publicly address the charges for more than a week. | John H. White~Sun-Times file

Rod Blagojevich

Rod Blagojevich, Roland Burris

Jan. 9, 2009: The Illinois House of Representatives votes 114-1 to impeach Blagojevich; Rep. Deb Mell, Blagojevich’s sister-in-law, casts the lone dissenting vote. | AP file

Blagojevich Presides Over Inauguration Of Illinois State Senate

April 2, 2009: Blagojevich formally indicted on corruption charges, along with five co-defendants: his brother, Rob Blagojevich (top left); his most recent chief of staff, John Harris (top right); former chief of staff, Alonzo “Lon” Monk (center right); chief fund-raiser Christopher G. Kelly (bottom right); and Springfield powerbroker William F. Cellini (bottom left). | Sun-Times and AP files

I'M A CELEBRITY .. GET ME OUT OF HERE!

John Harris. File Photo. | Richard A. Chapman~Sun-Times file

Sept. 12, 2009: Christopher Kelly commits suicide days after pleading guilty to tax and mail fraud charges. Kelly had been indicted three times since 2007 but refused to become a cooperating witness. With Kelly linking Cellini and Blagojevich, Cellini gets a separate trial. | Richard A. Chapman~Sun-Times

October 20, 2009: Alonzo “Lon” Monk pleads guilty to wire fraud. | Brian jackson~Sun-Times

The Celebrity Apprentice

June, 2010: Blagojevich, signing an autograph, and his brother, Rob (inset), go on trial. The ex-governor faces 24 charges, from racketeering to making false statements. Prosecutors play dozens of explosive conversations captured on tape. | John J. Kim, Rich Hein~Sun-Times file

Aug. 17, 2010: In an embarrassment to prosecutors, the jury is deadlocked on 23 counts and votes to convict the ex-governor on just one count, despite having myriad taped conversations. The jury votes 11-1 on the Senate seat counts with a female juror described as the lone “holdout.” The panel convicts Blagojevich of one count: making a false statement to the FBI. Prosecutors immediately say they’ll retry Blagojevich. | Sun-Times files

April 2011: Blagojevich’s retrial begins. Prosecution pares down case significantly and racketeering charges are no more. | John H. White~Sun-Times file

May 2011: Blagojevich, pictured with wife Patti and daughter Amy, takes the witness stand, giving long-winded diatribes and apologizing for his language on tape: “I’m an effin’ jerk.” He doesn’t leave it for seven days. Blagojevich fumbles at prosecutor Reid Schar’s opening question: “You are a convicted liar, right?” | Rich Hein~Sun-Times

June 2011: Jury of 11 women and one man convicts Blagojevich on 17 of 20 counts, including of conspiring to sell Obama’s Senate seat and of shaking down potential campaign donors in exchange for state action. Jurors say Blagojevich, pictured with wife Patti after the verdict, was likable but broke the law. | John H. White~Sun-Times

November 2011: Tony Rezko (inset) is sentenced to 10 ½ years in prison. Many believe this sets the bar for Blagojevich’s impending term. (Pictured: U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald speaks after Rezko's sentencing.) | Tom Cruze, Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

December 6-7 2011: Blagojevich to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge James Zagel. Prosecutors ask for 15 to 20 years. Blagojevich’s lawyers ask for less than 3 ½. | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times file