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Rod Blagojevich
Former Governor of Illinois (D)
Governor convicted of attempting to sell Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat, extorting campaign contributions, and multiple counts of wire fraud
Overview
Rod Blagojevich served as the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009. On December 9, 2008, he was arrested at his home by FBI agents on corruption charges, including the stunning allegation that he attempted to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. FBI wiretaps captured Blagojevich stating the Senate seat was "a f***ing valuable thing" and "I'm just not giving it up for f***ing nothing." He was impeached by the Illinois legislature and removed from office in January 2009 by a unanimous 59-0 Senate vote. In 2011, he was convicted on 17 of 20 federal counts including wire fraud, attempted extortion, and soliciting bribes. He was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. In February 2020, President Trump commuted his sentence after Blagojevich had served approximately 8 years.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Attempted to sell Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat to highest bidder
Arrested by FBI at home; wiretaps captured extensive corruption discussions
Impeached and removed from office by unanimous 59-0 Illinois Senate vote
Convicted on 17 of 20 federal corruption counts including wire fraud and extortion
Sentenced to 14 years; sentence commuted by Trump after 8 years
Related Investigations (1)
Criminal Charges & Violations
4 documented violations
18 U.S.C. 1343Wire fraud - using interstate communications in scheme to defraud(federal)
18 U.S.C. 1951Attempted extortion under color of official right (Hobbs Act)(federal)
18 U.S.C. 666Soliciting bribes as a state official receiving federal funds(federal)
18 U.S.C. 371Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and extortion(federal)
Known Associates & Connections
Tony Rezko
Political fundraiser and co-defendant convicted of corruption
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- December 10, 1956
- Birthplace
- Chicago, Illinois
- Also Known As
- Blago
Education
- •Northwestern University (B.A.)
- •Pepperdine University School of Law (J.D.)
Key Timeline
2003-01-13
Inaugurated as Governor of Illinois
2008-12-09
Arrested by FBI on corruption charges
2009-01-29
Impeached and removed from office (59-0 vote)
2011-06-27
Convicted on 17 federal counts
2011-12-07
Sentenced to 14 years in federal prison
2020-02-18
Sentence commuted by President Trump