CHICAGO (AP) — Rod Blagojevich, the ousted Illinois governor whose three-year battle against criminal charges became a national spectacle, was sentenced to 14 years in prison Wednesday, one of the stiffest penalties imposed for corruption in a state with a history of crooked politics.I'm just wondering about Roman Popes who were "more concerned about using [their] powers for [themselves]".
Among his 18 convictions is the explosive charge that he tried to leverage his power to appoint someone to President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat in exchange for campaign cash or land a high-paying job.
Judge James Zagel gave Blagojevich some credit for taking responsibility for his actions – which the former governor did in an address to the court earlier in the day – but said that didn't mitigate his crimes. Zagel also said Blagojevich did some good things for people as governor, but was more concerned about using his powers for himself.
"When it is the governor who goes bad, the fabric of Illinois is torn and disfigured and not easily repaired," Zagel said.
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
One kind of penalty for corruption
Rod Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
There is also a lesson here regarding the difference between repentance and asking for forgiveness. Regarding the difference between forgiveness and avoiding justice.
ReplyDeleteAll too often people think that all you have to do is say you're sorry and God will forgive you. And, if God forgives you, you will not be punished.
Notice that the judge still imposed his sentence upon a sorrowful Blagoevich. Noting that even though he did some good, his crimes deserved punishment.
People need to be reminded that God is loving and forgiving as well as JUST. He will by no means let the guilty go free if they have not repented and put their trust in Christ.