Supreme Court rejects Rod Blagojevich appeal in corruption case

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court has rejected former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's appeal of his corruption convictions that included his attempt to sell the vacant Senate seat once occupied by President Barack Obama.

The justices on Monday let stand an appeals court ruling that found Blagojevich crossed the line when he sought money in exchange for naming someone to fill the seat.

The 59-year-old Blagojevich is serving a 14-year sentence at a federal prison in Colorado.

A federal appeals court last year threw out five of his 18 convictions and Blagojevich was hoping the Supreme Court would consider tossing the rest.

His lawyers argued that the line between the legal and illegal trading of political favors has become blurred, potentially leaving politicians everywhere subject to prosecution.