Rod Blagojevich, disgraced Illinois governor, has just had his trial finished. Only a single guilty verdict was brought by the grand jury after two weeks of deliberation. One count of lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation was given to Blagojevich. Sentencing will soon follow, and he could face up to five years in prison for giving false statements to government officials. Federal prosecutors have already announced they fully intend to re-try Blagojevich.
Verdict comes after two weeks of waiting
Rod Blagojevich was arrested two years ago in connection with federal surveillance that indicated he was trying to sell the seat in the United States Senate vacated by Obama. He was impeached and removed from office because of this. He was charged to have 24 accusations. After two weeks, the jury, which had been mostly deadlocked before then, came back with only one clear verdict. Mistrial was announced for 23 of the accounts when he was considered guilty of giving statements that were lies to the FBI.
U.S. Attorney fights to get a retrial
The New York Times, reports that a retrial for Blagojevich is wanted by the U.S. Attorney’s office. A lie to the FBI was what he was convicted of. Making false statements to the FBI is a federal crime, which carries a fine of up to $ 250,000 or up to five years in prison, or both. Many hope both will happen.
Blagojevich known as a politician that is stereotypical
Chicago, Ill., has a long history of political corruption. George Ryan was removed from office and convicted also, as Rod Blagojevich’s previous governor. Federal prison now holds Ryan because of the corruption he did. It’s unknown what the fate of Rod Blagojevich will be, as he still has a second trial in his future. Five years in prison could be where his life goes.
