Fourteen for attempting to sell seat of Obama

Rod Blagojevich, the deposed Governor of Illinois whose battle for three years against criminal charges, became a national spectacle, was sentenced yesterday Wednesday to 14 years imprisonment for the attempt to sell or barter appointment to the Bank of the Senate left vacant President Barack Obama, as well as other acts corrupt.

Is one of the most severe sentences for corruption in a State with a long history of political corruption. Blagojevich apologised and requested clemency in a plea before the judge before hearing his sentence.

His lawyers had said that the sentence of 15 to 20 years in prison sought by the Prosecutor's Office was excessive. It is the second Governor followed Illinois sentenced for corruption

His Republican predecessor, George Ryan is serving a sentence of six years and a half. "When the Governor is going astray, Illinois structure is distorted and disfigures and difficult" u000a"repair", said judge James Zagel.

Blagojevich, in a last attempt, did something unprecedented: apologized. After years of insisting on his innocence, admitted before the judge that he had committed "dreadful mistakes" and acknowledged that it had violated the law. "I'm here convicted of crimes", he said Blagojevich, "and I accept that and I admit and of course I am terribly sorry".

Zagel replied that he credited take responsibility for their actions but that his apology not mitigated their crimes. "Despite the positive that can have done by the people as Governor...", he added.

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