Blagojevich Gets 14 Years In Prison For Corruption [VIDEO]

A federal judge has sentenced Rod Blagojevich to 14 years for corruption that included trying to sell or trade an appointment to the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama.

It's one of the stiffest penalties for corruption in a state with a history of crooked politics.

Blagojevich apologized for his crimes and asked for mercy in addressing the judge earlier Wednesday.

He told reporters that this was a time to be strong, to fight adversity and to head home to his children and explain his sentence.

The usually jocular politician took no questions.

His attorneys had said the sentence of 15 to 20 years prosecutors wanted was too harsh.

He is the second successive Illinois governor sentenced for corruption. His Republican predecessor, George Ryan, is serving a 6 1/2 year term.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)