Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in prison for trying to sell Barack Obama’s former U.S. Senate seat, was not due for release until May 2024. With Tuesday’s commutation by President Donald Trump Blagojevich should be freed four years early.
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Blagojevich was convicted in connection with three schemes, including the attempted sale of a Senate seat. He was found guilty on 11 criminal counts related to the Senate seat and six counts involving fundraising shakedowns of a hospital executive and racetrack owner. Five counts related to the Senate seat were later dismissed on appeal.
Blagojevich initially filed official paperwork June 5 seeking a pardon.