Defense wants probation for Blagojevich

CHICAGO, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Attorneys for Rod Blagojevich say they're going to seek probation for the former Illinois governor, who was convicted of 17 counts of corruption, a report said.

Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky said his client is a fit candidate for probation.

"The taxpayers never lost a dime. Blagojevich never received a dime," Sorosky told the Chicago Sun-Times Monday after a federal judge delayed sentencing, originally scheduled for Oct. 6.

Prosecutors, who have not made a recommendation to the judge, have calculated the former governor's potential sentence at 30 years to life in prison. Legal experts say the Chicago Democrat will likely face 10 to 12 years in prison, the Sun-Times said.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel, set to preside over the trial of William Cellini, who is accused of extortion in trying to raise funds the Blagojevich campaign, did not give a new sentencing date for Blagojevich. Sorosky told the newspaper he thinks it will be sometime in November.