Back in 2008 when Obama was running for president, then Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was busted for trying to sell Obama’s vacated Senate seat. A few years later, he was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison.
Longtime Legal Insurrection readers may recall that Professor Jacobson was the No. 1 Blago blogger. Read all about that here. He also created The Official Guide To Blagojevich Blogs.
Blagojevich was hoping for a hearing from the Supreme Court but is out of luck.
Jason Meisner reports in the Chicago Tribune:
U.S. Supreme Court again rejects hearing Rod Blagojevich’s appealThe U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday it will not hear former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s appeal, marking the end of a decadelong legal road and virtually guaranteeing he will remain in prison until 2024 barring a presidential pardon or commutation.The justices did not comment in letting stand the convictions and 14-year prison term that Blagojevich is serving. It marked the second time in two years that the high court has rejected hearing Blagojevich’s appeal.Blagojevich’s lawyers had hoped the Supreme Court would take up his case to make clear what constitutes illegal political fundraising. They argued that politicians are vulnerable to prosecution because the line between what’s allowed and what’s illegal is blurry.His convictions included trying to extort a children’s hospital for contributions and seeking cash in exchange for an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama when he was elected president in 2008.
It’s ironic that he’ll remain in prison until 2024 unless he gets a pardon from President Trump. Blago was actually on Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice show in 2010.
The former governor’s wife Patti Blagojevich is unhappy with the court’s decision.
WBAY News reports:
Wife of Rod Blagojevich disappointed in court decisionThe wife of imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich says she and their two children are disappointed that the Supreme Court decided not to hear her husband’s appeal of his corruption convictions.A Monday statement from Patti Blagojevich says she understands “the judiciary” is “no longer an option” for winning her 61-year-old husband’s release.The justices didn’t comment Monday in letting the convictions and 14-year prison term Blagojevich is serving stand. They also refused to hear his appeal in 2016.
In 2017, Chicago Magazine published a story about Blago’s life in prison. It’s a long piece but very interesting. Read it here.
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