Blagojevich could face decades in prison

CHICAGO, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Federal prosecutors are disputing reports they've recommended a lengthy prison sentence for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Randall Samborn, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, said the government has not recommended a sentence publicly or privately. He said the office, however, has submitted a required calculation of the advisory sentencing guidelines.

"The sentencing guideline formulas are established by the U.S. Sentencing Commission," Samborn said Thursday in a statement. "The government submitted that calculation to the probation office as is standard practice and we will not comment on those calculations publicly."

Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky told the Chicago Sun-Times the defense would fight the government's calculation of a possible 30 years in prison.

"We are preparing a submission to Judge (James) Zagel, which is far, far, far under those draconian and harsh and cruel numbers" Sorosky told the Sun-Times. "We are making our own guideline calculation which is fair and based on facts and the evidence at trial."

The former governor is scheduled to be sentenced next month for his conviction on 20 counts of corruption.