2010 - Rod Blagojevich railroaded by oil-auto-sprawl interests

Both sides vowed to keep up the court fight after the jury found Blagojevich, 53, guilty on a lesser charge of making false statements to the FBI but could not reach a verdict on the remaining 23 counts including racketeering, bribery, and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.
The conviction carries a maximum prison term of five years, though the former governor is likely to serve a few months to a year in prison if nothing changes during the retrial of the case, a legal expert told ABC News.

https://abcnews.go.com/WN/rod-blagojevich-trial-guilty-24-counts-jury-deadlocks/story?id=11411037

In spite of heavy spin by ABC corporate media [above] the fact remains that Blagojevich was cleared of 23 out of 24 counts by the grand jury. At that time the penalty was 5 years. Later, since they couldn't get the courts to jail him, oil-auto-sprawl had the case referred to the assembly where he was quickly given 14 years. All this for winning free public transit for seniors.

Blagojevich goes to prison for threatening oil profits

Blagojevich to Begin Prison Term for Corruption - NYTimes.com: "Clutching his wife, he launched into a speech he might have used on the campaign trail, reminding the crowd of his efforts to bring health care to all children, extra health examinations for women, free public transportation for the elderly. He said he took responsibility for things he had said —  “political talk” and “horse trades,” as he described them.  Then he said he was hopeful for an appeal."

Statement from Rod Blagojevich on the end of Illinois program that provided free rides for seniors | PR NewsChannel

Statement from Rod Blagojevich on the end of Illinois program that provided free rides for seniors | PR NewsChannel: "STATEMENT FROM ROD BLAGOJEVICH:

“I’m really sad to see free public transportation being taking way from our seniors. I ruffled a lot of feathers to make this happen but I know it was the right thing to do. I wish I was in a position to do something about it.”"

Politicians obey oil-industry gag order on #transit advocacy

As this article in the Tribune shows, since the hysterical political attack on Blagojevich by the oil and sprawl industry, and the advent of raging oil-tea-party loonies, a gag-order is in place against transit advocacy by high-profile personalities.

Transit is a sleeper issue in race for Chicago mayor - chicagotribune.com: "The candidates in the Chicago mayoral race talk a lot about jobs, crime, education and city finances, sometimes doing so while shaking hands with potential voters at CTA rail stations.

Yet with the Feb. 22 election coming up, none of the candidates has had much to say about transportation,"

What happens when you threaten oil profits

(article accompanied by a huge shell ad)
Federal prosecutors should not retry Rod Blagojevich: "Mr. Fitzgerald brought unlimited resources and the power of the federal government to the case against Mr. Blagojevich. The charges included racketeering, bribery, conspiracy, extortion and making false statements. He was accused of exchanging state contracts for campaign donations. The most explosive accusation was that Mr. Blagojevich was trying to sell his ability to appoint someone to fill President Obama's former Senate seat. The charges against him were enough to get him impeached and removed from office in January 2009."