Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted on Monday on the ground of corruption charges against him related to his attempt to sell the US Senate seat held by Barack Obama before he resigned to become President.

He was guilty of all 10 counts involving wire fraud, which prescribes a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The other charges included extortion and bribery.

The jury acquitted Blagojevich on one count of bribery and was unable to reach verdicts on two counts of attempted extortion. Blagojevich becomes the second consecutive Illinois governor convicted of corruption. Former Governor George is serving his time now in prison.

Along with Blagojevich, prosecutors initially also charged his brother Robert Blagojevich, with one count of wire fraud, one count of extortion conspiracy, one count of attempted extortion and one count of bribery conspiracy in connection with his brother’s senate seat selling plan. But later after 2 weeks, the prosecutors dropped charges against Robert Blagojevich.

EX US GOVERNOR GUILTY OF CORRUPTION

Report by Alka