Blago's Final Statement Live Blog

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 14, 2012 10:02PM

Rod Blagojevich is making his final remarks before he heads to prison tomorrow. Follow along as he makes his remarks.

5:02 p.m.: The media scrum outside Blago's Ravenswood Manor home is huge. So much for heading to prison quietly. The Blagojeviches are exiting the home.

5:04 p.m.: Watching the NBC 5 feed. Someone please tell Mary Ann Ahern we can see what's happening just fine.

5:06 p.m.: Blagojevich: "Patti and I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people who hav been supportive, kind and good to us and our children." Blago thanks people who voted him as governor twice so he could help "real ordinary people."

5:06 p.m.: Blago - "Maybe I worked to hard" to help Illinoisans. Now he's listing his achievements in office for the uninsured and poor.

5:08 p.m. Blago takes responsibility for actions and still believes he was doing what was on the right side of the law.

5:10 p.m. "Saying goodbye to Patti and my kids will be the hardest thing I'll ever do." Urges his supporters to "stand tall in the face of adversity." "You bear your crosses. You bear your burdens."

5:12 p.m. Blago announces daughter Amy's school, St. Scholastica, is closing, and urges supporters to try to keep it open.

5:13 p.m. "It's hard for me to say I have to go to prison."

5:14 p.m. "I have had many blessings in my life." Lists his parents, wife, children, his holding political offices. This would make one hell of a campaign speech.
Says walking through life with Patti "a most gracious journey."

5:16 p.m. "We are appealing the case. We have great trust and faith in the appeal. I still believe in America, the rule of law, that might makes right... this is not over."

5:17 p.m. Blago ends remarks with "I'll see you around."