Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was convicted Monday of a wide range of corruption charges, including the allegation that he tried to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s Senate seat.
Blagojevich who previously spent 2 1/2 years professing his innocence on reality TV shows and later on the witness stand, now faces up to 300 years in prison, although federal sentencing guidelines are sure to significantly reduce his time behind bars.
After hearing the verdict, Blagojevich turned to defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky and asked “What happened?” His wife, Patti, slumped against her brother, then rushed into her husband’s arms.
Before the decision was read, the couple looked flushed, and the former governor blew his wife a kiss across the courtroom, then stood expressionless, with his hands clasped tightly.
