Ex-Gov. Blagojevich returns to Chicago, maintains innocence
4 years, 10 months ago

Ex-Gov. Blagojevich returns to Chicago, maintains innocence

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Rod Blagojevich returned home to Chicago early Wednesday, shaking hands and signing autographs after President Donald Trump cut short the 14-year prison sentence handed to the former Illinois governor for political corruption. “I’m profoundly grateful to President Trump and it’s a profound and everlasting gratitude,” Blagojevich told WGN. Blagojevich’s wife, Patti, went on a media blitz in 2018 to encourage Trump to step in, praising the president and likening the investigation of her husband to special prosecutor Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election — a probe Trump long characterized as a “witch hunt.” Blagojevich’s conviction was notable, even in a state where four of the last 10 governors have gone to prison for corruption. After Blagojevich’s arrest, Fitzgerald said the governor had gone on “a political corruption crime spree” that would make Abraham Lincoln turn over in his grave.

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History of this topic

Quoting Dr. Seuss, ‘Just go, Go, GO!’ federal judge dismisses Blagojevich political comeback suit
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Quoting Dr. Seuss, ‘Just go, Go, GO!’ federal judge dismisses Blagojevich political comeback suit

Associated Press  

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Rod Blagojevich, the ex-governor and ex-con who often dusted off ancient and sometimes puzzling quotations to emphasize his positions, found himself at the other end Thursday when a federal judge dismissed his lawsuit attempting to return to public life by quoting Dr. Seuss: “Just go.” The Chicago Democrat, impeached and removed from office by the General Assembly …

‘I’m back’: Ex-con Blagojevich sues for right to run again
3 years, 5 months ago

‘I’m back’: Ex-con Blagojevich sues for right to run again

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Ex-con and former Gov. “But I am not going to rule out any options either.” Then-President Donald Trump freed Blagojevich in February 2020 after he had served eight years of a 14-year sentence, including for trying to sell an appointment to Barak Obama’s old U.S. Senate seat for campaign cash. “I’m a Trumpocrat,” said the one-time contestant on …

Blagojevich praises, endorses Trump as justice reformer
4 years, 10 months ago

Blagojevich praises, endorses Trump as justice reformer

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Former Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich gushed about Donald Trump a day after the Republican president set him free from a federal prison, delivering a 20-minute monologue Wednesday outside his Chicago home that sounded like an extended campaign commercial. A banner draped over a stoop behind Blagojevich read, “Thanks Mr. President.” One man in the crowd wore a …

2-year lobbying effort pays off in freedom for Blagojevich
4 years, 10 months ago

2-year lobbying effort pays off in freedom for Blagojevich

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — When Patti Blagojevich made repeated public pleas for her husband’s release from federal prison, there was no mistaking her intended audience: President Donald Trump. She flattered and heaped praise on the president and likened the case against her husband to the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election — a probe Trump long characterized as a “witch …

A timeline of Blagojevich’s political career, criminal case
4 years, 10 months ago

A timeline of Blagojevich’s political career, criminal case

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — Highlights from imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s political career and legal saga: — 1993: Blagojevich begins a three-year stint as an Illinois state representative. — June 27, 2011: After nine days of deliberations, jurors find Blagojevich guilty of 18 counts, including allegations that he tried to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat. Circuit Court …

Trump commutes Blagojevich’s sentence and grants clemency to 10 others
4 years, 10 months ago

Trump commutes Blagojevich’s sentence and grants clemency to 10 others

CNN  

Washington CNN — President Donald Trump wielded his powers of clemency Tuesday for convicted white-collar criminals and the former Illinois governor accused of attempting to sell a US senate seat. Trump also announced pardons for former New York police commissioner Bernie Kerik, convicted of tax fraud and lying to officials; Mike Milken, an investment banker known as the “Junk Bond …

Trump, getting facts wrong, says he may free Blagojevich
5 years, 5 months ago

Trump, getting facts wrong, says he may free Blagojevich

Associated Press  

CHICAGO — President Donald Trump has sent his clearest signal yet that he may be about to sign commutation papers freeing former Illinois governor and one-time “Celebrity Apprentice” contestant Rod Blagojevich from federal prison in Colorado. He added: “I’m thinking about commuting his sentence very strongly.” Trump on Thursday took to Twitter, saying that many people have asked him to …

Trump says he’s considering commutation for Blagojevich
5 years, 5 months ago

Trump says he’s considering commutation for Blagojevich

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday that the White House is continuing to review the possibility of commuting the sentence of former Illinois Gov. “Many people have asked that I study the possibility of commuting his sentence in that it was a very severe one,” Trump said. “White House staff is continuing the review of this matter.” The Republican …

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