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Blagojevich freed on own recognizance
December 9, 2008 at 2:56 PM

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were each released on his own recognizance at a federal court hearing this afternoon. Wearing a light blue running shirt and tight, dark-blue running pants, the governor walked slowly into the packed courtroom accompanied by a federal agent. After being escorted to the defense table, Blagojevich smirked and shook his head as he read documents given to him by his attorney.

He also looked briefly around the gallery, which was filled with reporters. His wife, Patti, did not attend the 15-minute hearing. Blagojevich and Harris later stepped toward the bench, as U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan greeted him. "Good afternoon, Governor," she said. "Good afternoon," Blagojevich replied.

Nolan said the purpose of the hearing was to explain the charges against the men and make sure they understood their rights. Assistant U.S. Atty. Red Schar then read into the record the two counts detailed in the criminal complaint. If convicted, Blagojevich and Harris could face up to 10 years in prison.

The magistrate agreed to release the men on a $4,500 recognizance bond. Blagojevich nodded as Nolan also ordered him to surrender his passport and any gun ownership cards. The governor was then escorted from the courtroom after the hearing.

His attorney, Sheldon Sorosky, said afterward that Blagojevich "is very surprised and certainly feels that he did not do anything wrong." The governor was driven back to his Chicago home and arrived there about 2:30 p.m. He went into his home through a back entrance.

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