By Cole Lauterbach/Illinois Radio Network
CHICAGO – Imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is once again appealing his 14-year sentence.
His lawyer says the courts are still not seeing the blurred line between politics and a felony crime. When the Chicago Democratic governor was on trial, his lawyers maintained that there was nothing illegal in attempting to get a financial benefit in exchange for an appointment to President Barack Obama’s newly vacated Senate seat.
Blagojevich attorney Leonard Goodman still maintains that they’re mistaking politics for lawlessness.
“There always has been a critical issue in this case, which is, ‘What is the legal line between lawful political fundraising and the crimes of extortion and bribery?'” Goodman said. “That critical issue has not been addressed.”
Goodman and his legal team last week filed for another appeal on his conviction. This time, they’re asking the entire U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear the case. This comes one month after a three-judge panel dismissed his appeal.
In August 2016, Judge James Zagel reinstated Blagojevich’s 14-year prison sentence saying that, while the former governor came off as remorseful, he never once took responsibility for the actions for which he was convicted.
Blagojevich is scheduled to be released from his Colorado minimum-security prison on May 23, 2024. By then, he’ll be 67.
