CHICAGO - Rod Blagojevich's attorney admitted for the first time that the former Illinois governor is guilty of corruption, saying at his sentencing hearing Wednesday that he accepts the verdicts against him but that the prison term requested by prosecutors is too harsh.
The comments were in stark contrast to Blagojevich's public statements, in which he adamantly maintained his innocence.
Attorney Sheldon Sorosky told Judge James Zagel that it was illegal for Blagojevich to ask for a job for himself in exchange for his naming of a replacement for President Obama in the U.S. Senate. "There's no doubt this is a crime to do this in relation to the Senate seat; we accept that," Sorosky said. "I am just saying that does not call for a 15- to 20-year jail" term.
Blabojevich is expected to address the judge on Wednesday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
