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Feds Seek Lengthy Prison Sentence for Blago

By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 30, 2011 8:50PM

2011_10_26_blagojevich.jpg
Painting created by Lauri Apple.
While Rod Blagojevich's legal team continues to test the patience of Judge James Zagel, federal prosecutors are hoping to send him down a river without a paddle.

Prosecutors will request a prison term of up to 20 years for Governor "Play the Tapes" when his sentencing hearing begins next week.

Prosecutors said in court filings (which we've included below):

“Over the course of a relatively brief period of time, during his machinations surrounding the appointment of a United States Senator, and the shakedowns of hospital and racetrack executives, the defendant revealed his corrupt, criminal character."

They said Blagojevich warrants a harsher sentence because he "repeatedly committed serious criminal acts that have done enormous damage to public confidence in Illinois government. He has refused to accept any responsibility for his criminal conduct and, rather, has repeatedly obstructed justice and taken action to further erode respect for the law.

"Blagojevich has nobody to blame but himself for the criminal conduct in which he engaged.”

Blago's lawyers, meanwhile, have said they'll recommend probation for their client.

2011 11 30 Blago Sentencing Rec