SPRINGFIELD – Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court disbarred former governor Rod Blagojevich on Monday, May 18.
They confirmed a report from members of a hearing board who found “numerous factors that aggravate Respondent’s misconduct.”
Blagojevich left prison on Feb. 18, when President Trump granted clemency.
The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which waived the hearing while Blagojevich served prison time, held one on Feb. 25.
He didn’t show up.
According to the hearing board, “Respondent was represented by counsel throughout this proceeding but elected not to file an answer, comply with discovery requests, appear for deposition, or appear at the hearing in this matter.”
Board members found Blagojevich was convicted of committing numerous crimes while in office including wire fraud, corrupt solicitation, attempted extortion, and making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
They found that as a former state’s attorney, Blagojevich was well aware of his obligation to uphold the law and that as governor he took an oath to faithfully discharge his duties.
“Instead of doing so, he sought to further his own interests by engaging in a pattern of dishonest and deceptive conduct,” the board held.
They found he didn’t acknowledge his conduct was wrongful or express remorse.
“His failure to appear for his disciplinary hearing demonstrates a lack of respect for the disciplinary process and the legal profession,” the board held.