CHICAGO (AP) -- Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted on 17 of 20 corruption charges Monday in his retrial in federal court. Here are some notable quotes following the verdict:
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"What happened?''
- Blagojevich to defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky after finding out he was found guilty on 17 of 20 corruption charges.
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"Patti and I obviously are very disappointed in the outcome. I frankly am stunned. There's not much left to say other than we want to get home to our little girls and talk to them and explain things to them and then try to sort things out.''
- Blagojevich to reporters after the verdicts.
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"The vindication is for the people of Illinois.''
- U.S. District Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
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"He was personable. It made it hard to separate that from what we actually had to do as jurors.''
--Juror 103, a woman who is a restaurant bartender. Jurors who spoke with the media identified themselves only by number; their names are set to be released Tuesday.
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"This is my mission to reform our government so we do not have governors going to jail.''
-Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn
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"The problem was with some of his explanations. It reminded me of a little kid who gets his hand caught in a cookie jar. He says, 'Mommy I wasn't taking the cookies. I was just trying to protect them and to count them.'''
-- Richard Kling, professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law who watched much of the trial, on Blagojevich's testimony.
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"I didn't think he was capable of being so dishonest. The way he talked on the tape, I was very disappointed. To think he was the head of our government and acted the way he did, I was very let down.''
-Cindy Kennedy owner of a consignment shop in Metropolis, Ill.
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"Today's verdict is a stark reminder that no one is above the law. This decision is the culmination of a tumultuous two and a half years for the people of Illinois and Rod Blagojevich must now face the consequences of his corrupt actions.''
-Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois.
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"It's certainly a sad commentary on the state and people throughout the country look at Illinois and the fact that four recent governors have been convicted on charges, it doesn't reflect well on the state or its governance. There are some systemic problems in the state that need to be addressed.''
- Joel Levin, a former federal prosecutor who helped convict former Illinois Gov. George Ryan of corruption.
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"After all is said and done it came down to his testimony. Did you believe him or didn't you believe him? They didn't believe him.''
- Paul Green, a political scientist at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
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"I think it sends a message. We know that there's a lot of bargaining that goes on behind the scenes, we do that in our everyday lives... but I think in this instance, when it's someone representing the people, it crosses the line.''
-Juror No. 146, the forewoman of the panel, who is a who is a retired director of music and liturgy at a church.
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"Once again, the former governor's pattern of dishonesty has been confirmed ... Just as it was sad but necessary for the Senate to remove him from office, today is another sad event for Illinois. I would hope that this verdict would further allow us as a state to move on and ahead.''
- Illinois Senate President John Cullerton.
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"I was hoping this time they would find him guilty, that there wouldn't be a hung jury this time. It was stupid the first time. ... It's obvious he did try to sell the (Senate) seat, (President) Obama's seat. He can sugarcoat it all he wants and talk around it.''
- Beth Carrigan, 54-year-old manager at O'Brien's Tavern in Danville.
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"The guilty verdict against former Governor Rod Blagojevich closes a long, embarrassing chapter for the citizens of Illinois. He deserves everything he's going to get.''
- Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford.
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"Illinoisans deserve better. We must move forward with a renewed focus on ethics reform. It is time to beat back the Illinois culture of corruption, restore integrity to the Land of Lincoln and make sure these crimes never happen again.''
- Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon.
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"It was clear that Rod Blagojevich conspired to use the Governor's office for personal gain. He inflicted real, permanent damage on the state during his six years in office. Unfortunately, future generations will be paying for his Administration for years to come.''
- Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno
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"It's often said that our U.S. justice system is slow but true and while this was a little bit slower than we might have liked we are certainly gratified with the verdict that came out today. A famous artist once said that lady justice is blind but she has very sophisticated listening devices and that was certainly the case in this matter.''
-Robert Grant, head of the FBI's Chicago office.
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"It's justice delivered. It's unfortunate that the people of the state of Illinois were dragged through that and so many people enabled him throughout his career.''
-Republican state Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine.
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"I believe the man got his just due for being totally self-centered and not acting in the best interests of the state of Illinois.''
-Marcia Heuer, Oregon (Illinois) Area Chamber of Commerce executive and Ogle County board member
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"For this guy to take on Children's Hospital in Chicago like that, I mean, come on. What kind of a rat is this? There's nothing redeemable about that.''
-Rev. Wes Wilkey from Faith United Methodist Church in Champaign and former student chaplain at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) |
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