Fitzgerald: Blagojevich sentence sends message

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald says the 14-year sentence handed to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich sends a strong message to all public officials when it comes to corruption.

Fitzgerald says the message is simply: “This needs to stop.”

He also urged the public to come forward if they observe crimes. Fitzgerald says it's sad that for the second time in five years an Illinois governor has been sentenced to prison.

Blagojevich was sentenced Wednesday for corruption that included trying to sell or trade an appointment to the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama.

Former Gov. George Ryan is serving a sentence of 6 1/2 years, also for corruption.