Federal appeals court overturns some Blagojevich Senate-seat convictions

Associated Press

CHICAGO

A federal appeals court Tuesday overturned some of the most-sensational convictions that sent former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich off to a lengthy stint in prison, ruling that the Democrat did not break the law when he sought to secure a Cabinet position in President Barack Obama’s administration in exchange for appointing an Obama adviser to the president’s former U.S. Senate seat.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago also ordered the resentencing of Blagojevich, offering the 58-year-old a ray of hope that he could end up serving less than his original 14-year term.

The three appellate judges dismissed five of 18 corruption counts against Blagojevich, while affirming 13 counts.