Court Overturns Some Blagojevich Convictions
In this March 15, 2012 file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich waves as he departs his Chicago home for Littleton, Colo., to begin his 14-year prison sentence on corruption charges. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
An appeals court has tossed out some of imprisoned ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's convictions that he sought to sell or trade President Barack Obama's old U.S. Senate seat.
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago released the dramatic ruling Tuesday.
It wasn't immediately clear whether the decision means the Democrat faced will serve less than the 14 years he was sentenced to in 2011.
Jurors convicted the 58-year-old of 18 corruption counts over two trials. Most related to charges he tried to swap an appointment to Obama's vacated seat for campaign money or a job.
The court upheld some of those counts and others linked to separate play-to-pay schemes.
During arguments over Blagojevich's appeal, the court focused on where the line was between legal and illegal political horse-trading.
Links
- Blagojevich Brother: I Was Fed’s `Pawn’ To Get Then-Governor
- Prosecutors Say Blagojevich Lawyers Misread Ruling
- Blagojevich Files New Argument In Appeal
- Ex-Blagojevich Fundraiser Sentenced To Two Years
- Audio Of Blagojevich Appeals Hearing Now Available
- Patti Blagojevich Attends Husband’s Appeal Hearing
- Blagojevich Attorneys To Argue Appeal On Friday
- Court To Hear Arguments On Blagojevich Appeal
- Prosecutors Respond To Blagojevich Appeal
- Prosecutors Get More Time In Blagojevich Appeal
- Judge Rules Against Casinos In Blago-Linked Case
- More coverage from the Chicago Tribune