Blagojevich sentence did not fit the crime

No matter how you wish to frame it, the 14-year prison sentence given disgraced former Illinois Gov. Blagojevich did not fit the crime. It is almost unheard of for corrupt politicians, even those that sneak thousands of dollars into their pockets, to be sent to a federal penitentiary for 14 years. The notorious Al Capone was sentenced to 11 years behind bars and was released after serving eight of them.

Blago's conduct was determined to be criminal, but no one was killed or injured or robbed of their money or possessions. It was talk and political blathering and threats. Wrong, yes; but federal prison for 14 years?

Strip away the political demands from the ex-governor's misconduct. Gov. Blagojevich was convicted of trying to shake down individuals and companies. It was political bartering of one kind or another - only talk, and no dollars found their way into Blago's gubernatorial pocket.

Blagojevich was the fourth Illinois governor convicted and sent to prison since 1960. The others, each of whom had enriched themselves by their crimes, were Otto Kerner who served a three-year sentence for bribery; Dan Walker, 18 months for bank fraud; and George Ryan, who served most of a six and one half years for racketeering.

Most lawyers I know, and I am one, believe that Blagojevich's sentence was too harsh.

President Donald Trump has said that he is considering commuting the Blagojevich sentence to allow the former governor, who has been in prison for seven years, to return to his wife and children and get on with his life. Sometimes justice and forgiveness need to be blended, even for an ex Democratic governor who pushed the political coin too far.

William Juneau

Huntley