Former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in a court hearing on his sentencing on Wednesday, said he was “unbelievably sorry,” admitting his guilt in a public corruption case, the Chicago Tribune reported.
“I want to apologize to the people of Illinois, to the court, for the mistakes I have made ... I never set out to break the law. I never set out to cross lines,” he said, reported the newspaper.
The former governor pleaded for a lighter sentence, a week after prosecutors suggested that he be sentenced for 15 to 20 years in prison.
“The jury decided I was guilty. I am accepting of it. I acknowledge it, and I of course am unbelievably sorry for it,” he added.
Blagojevich was convicted on 18 corruption charges including an attempt to sell off an appointment of a vacant U.S. Senate seat that was left empty by President Barack Obama after he was elected.
“Judge, the people have had enough. They have had enough of this defendant. They have had enough of people like him,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Reid Schar said, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
