Quotes from Judge James Zagel on Blagojevich
U.S. District Judge James Zagel on Wednesday sentenced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to 14 years in prison on corruption charges. Here are quotes from the judge:
“Whatever good things you did for people as governor, and you did some, I am more concerned with the occasions when you wanted to use your powers to do things that were only good for yourself.”
“When it is the governor who goes bad, the fabric of Illinois is torn and disfigured and not easily repaired.”
“The governor was not marched along this criminal path by his staff. He marched them.”
“I am sympathetic to the plight the defendant’s children have suffered over the last three years.”
“If it’s any consolation to his children, he does not stand convicted of being a bad father.”
“I see case after case where good fathers are bad citizens and wind up in jail.”
“The jury did not believe him and neither do I.”
“I accept your apology.”