Blago to Judge: 'Sorry' for Crimes

By Newsroom America Staff at 7 Dec 2011

(Newsroom America) -- Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich apologized to a federal judge in court Wednesday for committing crimes and making "terrible mistakes" regarding actions he took to fill Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat after he was elected president in 2008.

Blagojevich, who is facing the possibility of spending years in prison, told U.S. District Judge James Zagel that he believed what he was doing was "permissible," but acknowledged he was mistaken and that he "never set out to break the law."

"My life is ruined, at least now. ... My political career is over, I can't be a lawyer anymore, we can't afford the home we live in, we're trying to sell it," he said, adding he was "unbelievable sorry."

"I realize that the things I thought were permissible, the jury has made abundantly clear were not," he said. "Because of all that I have jeopardized my ability to protect my children."

Prosecutors accused Blagojevich of being "incredibly manipulative" and that he knew exactly what he was doing when he tried to sell Obama's Senate seat and shake down people, as well as a children's hospital, for money. They have recommended to the court that the former Democratic governor be imprisoned for up to 20 years.

In all, Blagojevich was charged with 18 counts of corruption. He was arrested nearly three years ago while still in office.

Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky argued that his client's crimes were nowhere near serious enough to warrant the 15-20 year-term prosecutors want. His attorneys collectively have said their client has already been punished in terms of losing face and financial ruin and have asked for no more than a few years behind bars.

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