Federal Prison's Newest Member

[Coffee Warlord]

Good old IL governor Rod Blagojevich guilty on 17 of 20 charges.

Way to keep up with tradition, buddy!

[RainMaker]

Good riddance Blago!

[Kodos]

HE'S INNOCENT, HE SAYS!

[EagleFan]

How did that guy get elected to begin with? Just listen to him and watch his body language and he screams untrustworthy lowlife dirtbag; even moreso than most politicians.

[Buccaneer]

I have been thinking about Illinois politics in a historical sense, trying to rate Illinois with Louisiana. I have come to the conclusion that while Louisiana have had some of the most creative political illegalities known to man, its impact has been felt rather locally. Illinois' corruptions have been known to change national elections, murder national politicians and directly influence national governments. Truly the big leagues for political corruption, then and now.

[flounder]

14 years (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/12/07/blagojevich-sentenced-to-14-years-in-prison/). My favorite paragraph:


The twice-elected Democrat is now the second former Illinois governor in a row to be sentenced to prison, and the fourth Illinois governor in the last four decades. His Republican predecessor, George Ryan, currently is serving a sentence of 6 1/2 years, also for corruption.

[Buccaneer]

"There is a line between routine politics, horse trading and campaign politics," Blagojevich said. "I thought they were permissible and I was mistaken."



He was not mistaken, actually. For typical Chicago/Illinois politics, those are permissable. The Feds have a different view.

[RainMaker]

Two straight governors in jail. Will Quinn make it the hat trick?

[molson]

I have been thinking about Illinois politics in a historical sense, trying to rate Illinois with Louisiana. I have come to the conclusion that while Louisiana have had some of the most creative political illegalities known to man, its impact has been felt rather locally. Illinois' corruptions have been known to change national elections, murder national politicians and directly influence national governments. Truly the big leagues for political corruption, then and now.

Massachusetts is an interesting dark horse, with 3 consecutive speakers of the state house convicted of federal crimes, and this year's probation scandal where it was revealed that virtually every single one of hundreds of probation department job openings were filled by friends and associates of legislators for political favor, and the state official that stole millions from state special education programs. Not a national presence, but at the state level, they're a promising contender for most corrupt.

[britrock88]

North Carolina's done well for itself lately. Former Governor Easley pled guilty to a felony a few months back (related to unreported campaign finance stuff, I think), Governor Perdue has had multiple donors indicted for obstruction of justice in the last few weeks, former House Speaker Jim Black was convicted a year ago or so for corrupt dealings... (and I just remembered that some recent cabinet members have run into trouble, too, though I remember even fewer of the specifics. Forgetting makes me feel better.)

[RainMaker]

Sounds like we're building a nice All-Star team between our states.

[JediKooter]

I was hoping his hair would get a life sentence.

[GreenMonster]

Flounder, I was going to post the same thing, they should make the two cellmates.

[flounder]

Flounder, I was going to post the same thing, they should make the two cellmates.

Who would be bottom and who would be top?

I'm talking about the bunk beds.

[Buccaneer]

Well, Blago is here in Colorado serving his sentence. Don't think it'll do much good since prison is the wrong kind of punishment for his deeds (as with most non-violent sentences). He should have been levied a huge fine and not be able to run for public office ever again.

[MrBug708]

If any district were to actually elect him to office again, they deserve him

[Senator]

How long before they let him out for good behavior? 2-3 years?

[Coffee Warlord]

Federal sentence. Gotta serve 75-85% (I forget the exact number) of the term.

[mckerney]

How long before they let him out for good behavior? 2-3 years?

Hopefully they let him stay long enough for Scott Walker to join him so they can form some kind of ex-governors club in there.

[Senator]

Federal sentence. Gotta serve 75-85% (I forget the exact number) of the term.

Ahh, so he has to do a little more than a decade at minimum. That will sting.

[cartman]

I like how they said they got "lost" on the way to the prison in Colorado, and decided to stop for a burger.