Ex-prosecutor says Blagojevich sentence stiff, but he has no one to blame but self, actions

[December 08, 2011]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Levin says Rod Blagojevich has himself to blame for his lengthy prison sentence.

Levin says the impeached ex-governor did everything wrong after his 2008 arrest on corruption charges. That includes verbally attacking the prosecutor, embarking on a media blitz, writing a book to deny the corruption and -- ultimately -- lying on the witness stand.

He says Blagojevich's behavior was a template for what defendants shouldn't do.

Still, he says he could not have anticipated three years ago that Blagojevich's sentence would be more than double the 6 1/2-year sentence his predecessor, George Ryan, received for corruption.

Levin says it's difficult to say if the 14-year sentence will deter future corruption. He says some officials could become more secretive, while others will think twice.

[Associated Press]

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