Blagojevich Guilty on 17 of 20 Charges

Could be facing some pretty serious jail time
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 27, 2011 2:26 PM CDT
Blagojevich Guilty on 17 of 20 Charges
FILE - In this June 9, 2011 file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich pauses as he talks with reporters at the Federal Court building after the judge handed the case to the jury in his corruption trial in Chicago. Jurors deliberating in Blagojevich's corruption trial told a judge on Monday, June...   (Charles Rex Arbogast)

Turns out Rod Blagejevich was right that President Obama's old Senate seat was worth something: A whole bunch of jail time. A jury today convicted Blago on 17 of 20 charges after deliberating for nine days. Blagojevich showed little emotion after the verdicts were read, notes the Chicago Tribune, but turned simply to his wife and whispered, "I love you." The former governor faced up to 350 years behind bars if convicted on all charges; however, sentencing guidelines would result in less time.

The jury deadlocked on two charges and acquitted Blagojevich on one, but found him guilty of wire fraud, attempted extortion, bribery, and conspiracy, among others. His legal team will likely appeal. (More Blagojevich trial stories.)

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