Wednesday
February 19, 2020 T: 582-7800 www.arubatoday.com facebook.com/arubatoday instagram.com/arubatoday
Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper
Page 13
Trump commutes former Illinois Gov. Blagojevich's sentence CHICAGO (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday commuted what he called the "ridiculous" 14-year prison sentence handed out to former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich for political corruption, clearing the way for his release after more than eight years behind bars. The Republican president said the punishment imposed on the Chicago Democrat and one-time "Celebrity Apprentice" con-
testant was excessive. "So he'll be able to go back home with his family," Trump told reporters in Washington. "That was a tremendously powerful, ridiculous sentence in my opinion and in the opinion of many others." Blagojevich, 63, who hails from a state with a long history of pay-toplay schemes, was expected to walk out of prison later in the day. Continued on next page
In this March 14, 2012, file photo, former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich speaks to the media outside his home in Chicago as his wife, Patti, wipes away tears a day before reporting to prison after his conviction on corruption charges. Associated Press