Tuesday, August 17, 2010
 
sponsored by

Blago guilty on just 1 count as feds vow retrial

Send a link to a friend

[August 17, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- A federal jury found former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich guilty on Tuesday of one count of lying to federal agents, and the judge said he intends to declare a mistrial on the remaining counts.

Prosecutors said immediately after the verdict was read that they intend to retry the case against Blagojevich and his co-defendant brother as soon as possible. He had faced 24 counts in all, including charges that he tried to sell or trade President Barack Obama's old Senate seat.

His brother, Nashville, Tenn., businessman Robert Blagojevich, had faced charges associated with that alleged scheme as well.

Judge James B. Zagel set a hearing for Aug. 26 to decide manner and timing of their retrial.

The count on which Blagojevich was found guilty included accusations that he lied to federal agents when he said he did not track campaign contributions and kept a "firewall" between political campaigns and government work. It carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.

The verdict came on the 14th day of deliberations. Jurors had asked earlier Tuesday for advice on filling out their verdict forms and a copy of the oath they took before deliberating.

Zagel said Blagojevich's bond will stay the same.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

< Top Stories index

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching and Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law and Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health and Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor