Rod Blagojevich now faces prospect of prison
(CBS/AP) CHICAGO - Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has to face the stark reality that he is likely headed to federal prison within months, leaving behind his wife and two young daughters.
A jury convicted him Monday on 17 charges, including trying to sell or trade President Barack Obama's old Senate seat and attempting to shake down executives for campaign cash. The convictions carry a combined maximum prison sentence of around 300 years, but legal experts say a federal judge is likely to send him away for about a decade.
He was already facing a potential sentence of five years for his previous conviction for lying to the FBI.
Blagojevich had said before the retrial began that he refused to even contemplate the prospect of prison. After the verdict was read Monday, he hurried out of the courthouse.
After the trial the ex-governor told reporters that he and his wife, Patti, "have to get home to our little girls and talk to them and explain things to them and then try to sort things out."
His daughters are 8 and 14.
Blagojevich is almost certain to appeal the convictions, and his defense attorneys filed a number of motions to lay the groundwork for that.
Judge James Zagel did not set a sentencing date, but Gal Pissetzky, a Chicago attorney who defends clients in federal court, said it's likely Blagojevich would be sentenced late this year.
Zagel has barred Blagojevich from traveling outside the area without permission. A status hearing to discuss sentencing was set for Aug. 1.