Rod Blagojevich's Defense Calls Last-Minute Witness to Avoid 20 Years in Prison
Rod Blagojevich hoped he would get away unscathed with charges of corruption earlier this year, but his fortunes have drastically changed and the former Illinois governor now faces up to 20 years in prison.
Persecutors are calling for the harshest sentence possible for the disgraced politician, who was convicted in June for various cases of corruption while serving as governor, including trying to sell the seat that was left vacant by President Obama.
Blagojevich maintains his innocence, according to The Chicago Sun-Times, but persecutors see that as a denial to admit his guilt and his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions. In a court filling on Wednesday, the allegations against the former governor were put forth.
“In light of Blagojevich’s extensive corruption of high office, the damage he caused to the integrity of Illinois government and the need to deter others from similar acts, the government suggests a sentence of 15 years to 20 years imprisonment is sufficient but not greater than necessary,” according to the court filing.
The defense is hoping that Blagojevich will only get probation. Their final attempt to sway the judge’s decision will be a hearing on Friday where they will call a key government witness to produce new evidence in the former governor’s favor, The Chicago Tribune reported.
Blagojevich’s lawyers also tried to convince U.S. District Judge James Zagel that prosecutors failed to provide evidence who approved the wiretaps that convicted Blagojevich. The former governor was investigated by an informant named John Wyma, who denied having made an agreement with Blagojevich about not making him the subject of an investigation.
Attorneys are also trying to prove that Blagojevich had no “ill intent” when he made mistakes while governor, but persecutors are denying that too, citing that it has already been proven that the Illinois politician is guilty.
