Impeached Former Ill. Gov Enters Club Fed in Colo. for Likely 12-Year Stint in Corruption Case
Expressing hope that “this is a country that is governed by the rule of law, that the truth ultimately will prevail,” the impeached former governor of Illinois has headed to a federal prison in Colorado to begin serving his 14-year prison sentence in a political corruption case.
Rod Blagojevich, 55, likely will have to serve 12 years before he is eligible for release, unless his appeals of his conviction or sentence are successful, according to the Chicago Tribune.
He went through a special security line at O’Hare International Airport, but once he’s inside among the other inmates, most of whom are there on drug convictions, his celebrity won’t benefit him, defense attorney and former prosecutor Jim Marcus of Chicago tells the newspaper.
Among other amenities the former governor and law graduate is going to have to do without at the federal facility near Littleton is a hair dryer, although he won’t be required by prison rules to shave off his trademark thick locks. Cellphones and Internet access are forbidden, but Blagojevich could research his appeals at the prison law library, the article notes.
His biggest issue likely will be boredom, predicts Marcus.
“After the initial fear of the first days, boredom is the main enemy,” the attorney said. “Getting up at the same time, eating, working, sleeping at the same time … that’s what gets to so many inmates, and Blagojevich is in for such a long time.”
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Impeached Ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich Gets 14 Years in Federal Corruption Case”
