Prosecutors say Blagojevich, who was convicted of 18 counts of corruption including related that he was trying to sell or trade in United States Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama, should receive more time than his predecessor, George Ryan, former Governor and former key fundraising, Tony Rezko. See TIME photoessay “World outstanding Rod Blagojevich.”
Ryan is serving a 6 1/2-year racketeering and fraud charges. Rezko was sentenced last week to 10 1/2 years, minus time served, on conviction for fraud, money laundering and plan to extort more than $ 7 million in bribes from firms seeking State business.
Blagojevich, who should be put to next week, has campaigned as a reformer following Ryan and “it really is aware of the damage” Ryan has caused, the Prosecutor said. And Blagojevich elected officials, not like Rezko, which also offers a limited cooperation to the Government, they said. “As chief executive of the State, Blagojevich is in a position of special responsibility to the community,” said the Prosecutor. “Abuse of Office especially grave given the faith put in him by the citizens of Illinois.”
Blagojevich, 54, was convicted on 18 counts, Court two include lying to the FBI. Lawyers are expected to make recommendations to their own later Wednesday, ahead of Blagojevich penalty by U.s. District Judge James Zagel on December 6. (See “Why Blagojevich did not beat the cost at this time.”)