Supreme Court Again Refuses To Hear Blagojevich Appeal
In this March 14, 2012, file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to the media outside his home in Chicago as his wife, Patti, wipes away tears a day before he was to report to a prison after his conviction on corruption charges. On Monday, April 16, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal and let stand the convictions and 14-year prison term that Blagojevich is serving. He's scheduled to be released in 2024. M. Spencer Green/AP
The U.S. Supreme Court for the second time has refused to hear an appeal by imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich of his corruption convictions.
The justices didn't comment Monday in letting stand the convictions and 14-year prison term the 61-year-old is serving. His scheduled release date is 2024.
Blagojevich's lawyers had wanted the high court to 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 to trade an appointment to the Senate seat Barack Obama vacated when he was elected president for campaign cash.
The court also refused to hear his 2016 appeal.
Links
- Appeals Court Denies Blagojevich Request For 3rd Sentencing
- Blagojevich Seeks Presidential Commutation Of Prison Term
- Blagojevich Receives Same 14-Year Prison Sentence In Resentencing Hearing On Corruption Charges
- High Court Rejects Blagojevich Appeal In Corruption Case
- Court Overturns Some Blagojevich Convictions
- Full Court Won’t Rehear Blagojevich Appeal
- Court To Hear Arguments On Blagojevich Appeal
- Blagojevich Enters Prison
- Blagojevich Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison
- Blagojevich Files for New Trial
- Jury Convicts Ex-Ill. Gov. Blagojevich at Retrial
- The Impeachment of Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich: Historical Context and Future State Politics