Blagojevich's conviction and sentence, and the appellate court described the evidence against him as "overwhelming." Extortion by a public official is a very serious crime, routinely prosecuted throughout the United States whenever, as here, it can be detected and proven. Blagojevich's conviction were reviewed by independent judges on an appellate court and by the Supreme Court of the United States. The law and extensive facts underlying Mr. Senate seat and (4) lying to the FBI to cover up his criminal activity. Blagojevich included the following actions: (1) extorting the CEO of a children's hospital by withholding important state funding to help sick children until the CEO provided campaign contributions (2) extorting the owners of a racetrack by intentionally holding up the signing of important state legislation until the owners provided campaign contributions in response to an explicit demand for them (3) extortionately demanding funding for a high-paying private sector job, as well as campaign contributions, in exchange for naming a replacement to an open U.S. The criminal conduct for which a jury unanimously convicted Mr. Blagojevich remains a felon, convicted of multiple serious acts of corruption as governor. Blagojevich said in a written statement: "Although the President has exercised his lawful authority to commute the remaining portion of Mr. attorneys who represented the government at trial in U.S.A. The former federal prosecution trial team and former U.S. I'm committed to continuing to take clear and decisive steps this spring to prevent politicians from using their offices for personal gain, and I will continue to approach this work with that firm conviction." President Trump has abused his pardon power in inexplicable ways to reward his friends and condone corruption, and I deeply believe this pardon sends the wrong message at the wrong time. JB Pritzker said: "Illinoisans have endured far too much corruption, and we must send a message to politicians that corrupt practices will no longer be tolerated. "You have ot have compassion, that family has suffered a lot," she said. "Hold yourself accountable and allow it to be a lesson for all of us other elected officials, to make sure we follow things by the book, that we do things accordingly, that we uphold ourselves."īut Lightfoot did have compassion for Blagojevich's family. "Just regret, just be apologetic for what transpired," said State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford on what she'd like to hear from the former governor after his release. "If the president was somebody who stood for integrity in government, respected the rule of law, and wasn't constantly trying to undermine the Department of Justice, federal judges, and playing favorites with people who have been convicted of serious crimes, I think an action would have a lot more credibility than this one is ever going to have," Lightfoot added. "Well, I think commuting the sentence of former governor Blagojevich under any circumstances would be controversial, but coming as it does with this president, and particularly in the aftermath of his efforts to really significantly undermine the rule of law and seemingly play favorites for his colleagues who have been convicted of crimes, I think it sends entirely the wrong message," she said. And there was this helicopter over the prison so I thought well, maybe I won't run, so I went and did push-ups." And so I had a run planned and I think, I wonder if I'll get that in before I go. "Because you get programmed, you have routines and I found that it helps through this time when you discipline yourself every day and you have something to work for, it helps you do it. "My first thought was, 'I wonder if I'll have time to get a run in,' believe it or not," Blagojevich said. He said he didn't have advanced warning of Trump's decision instead, he found out through the news like everyone else. Central Time, and spoke to reporters as he prepared to board the plane. The 63-year-old has been locked up for more than seven years at the Federal Correctional Institution-Englewood south of Denver, Colorado.īlagojevich caught a flight home to Chicago out of Denver around 8:30 p.m. Rod Blagojevich has been released from prison hours after President Donald Trump commuted his 14-year prison sentence, and is flying home to Chicago.ĬHICAGO (WLS) - Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been released from prison hours after President Donald Trump commuted his 14-year prison sentence Tuesday.
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