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{{Infobox Person
{{Infobox Person
|name = Jared Scott Fogle
|name = Rod Blagojevich
|birth_date = August 23, 1977
|birth_date = December 10, 1956
|birth_place = Indianapolis, Indiana
|birth_place = Chicago, Illinois
|charges = Distribution and receipt of child pornography, Traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor
|charges = Corruption, Wire fraud, Extortion, Bribery
|sentence = 188 months
|sentence = 14 years (commuted to 8, then pardoned)
|facility = FCI Englewood
|facility = FCI Englewood
|status = Incarcerated
|status = Pardoned
|conviction_date = June 27, 2011
|release_date = February 18, 2020 (commutation); February 10, 2025 (pardon)
}}
}}
'''Jared Scott Fogle''' (born August 23, 1977) is an American former advertising spokesman and convicted sex offender who was sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for child pornography distribution and engaging in commercial sex acts with minors.<ref name="doj-sentence">U.S. Department of Justice, "Jared S. Fogle sentenced in child pornography case," November 19, 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/jared-s-fogle-sentenced-child-pornography-case.</ref> Fogle rose to fame in the early 2000s as the spokesman for the Subway restaurant chain after losing a substantial amount of weight on a diet that consisted largely of Subway sandwiches. His wholesome image made his downfall particularly shocking when federal authorities arrested him in July 2015 on charges related to child pornography and the sexual exploitation of minors. Fogle pleaded guilty to one count of traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and one count of distribution and receipt of child pornography, and was sentenced to 188 months (approximately 15 years and 8 months) in federal prison—three years more than prosecutors had requested and eight years more than the defense had sought.<ref name="npr-sentence">NPR, "Jared Fogle Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Sex With Minors, Child Pornography," November 19, 2015, https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/11/19/456622271/jared-fogle-to-learn-sentence-for-sex-with-minors-child-pornography.</ref> He is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Englewood, Colorado, and is scheduled for release no earlier than March 2029.<ref name="newsweek-prison">Newsweek, "Is Jared Fogle Still in Prison? Where the Former Face of Subway Is Now," https://www.newsweek.com/jared-fogle-still-prison-where-subway-guy-now-1785933.</ref>
'''Rod Rod Blagojevich''' (born December 10, 1956) is a former Governor of Illinois who served 8 years in federal prison before having his sentence commuted by President Donald Trump in 2020 and receiving a full pardon in 2025. He was convicted of 18 counts of corruption, including attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, and was originally sentenced to 14 years in federal prison—one of the longest sentences ever given to a public official for corruption.<ref name="cnn-pardon">CNN Politics, "Trump pardons former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich," February 10, 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/10/politics/trump-pardons-rod-blagojevich</ref> Blagojevich became the fourth Illinois governor in history to serve prison time and was impeached and removed from office in 2009, becoming only the second state executive to be removed in U.S. history.<ref name="wiki-blago">Wikipedia, "Rod Blagojevich," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich</ref>


== Summary ==
== Current Status ==


Jared Fogle's transformation from beloved advertising figure to convicted child sex offender represents one of the most dramatic falls from grace in American corporate history. For more than 15 years, Fogle served as the face of Subway's marketing campaigns, appearing in countless commercials and public appearances promoting the message that eating Subway sandwiches had helped him lose over 200 pounds. He became one of the most recognizable advertising pitchmen in America and was held up as an inspirational figure of personal transformation.<ref name="wfyi-sentence">WFYI, "Jared Fogle Sentenced To More Than 15 Years In Prison For Child Sex Crimes," November 19, 2015, https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/jared-fogle-sentenced-for-child-sex-crimes.</ref>
'''As of December 2025''', Rod Blagojevich is a free man following his full presidential pardon from Donald Trump on February 10, 2025. The pardon cleared his criminal record entirely. However, he remains barred from holding public office in Illinois due to his 2009 impeachment by the state legislature, a ruling that cannot be reversed by a presidential pardon. He has described himself as a "Trumpocrat" and has been active in Republican politics since his release.<ref name="cnn-pardon" />


Behind the wholesome public image, however, Fogle was engaged in predatory behavior involving minors. Federal investigators discovered that between 2001 and 2015, Fogle received and viewed child pornography, including material produced by his associate Russell Taylor, who secretly recorded children in his home. Even more disturbing, Fogle traveled to New York City and elsewhere to engage in commercial sex acts with minors, and he sought to arrange additional encounters with underage girls. Text messages recovered by investigators showed Fogle offering to pay a teenage victim if she could find other underage girls for him to have sex with.<ref name="doj-charges">U.S. Department of Justice, "Jared Fogle charged with child pornography distribution and repeatedly engaging in commercial sex acts with minors," August 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/jared-fogle-charged-child-pornography-distribution-and-repeatedly-engaging-commercial.</ref>
=== What Is Rod Blagojevich Doing Now (2024-2025)? ===


The severity of Fogle's crimes was reflected in his sentence, which exceeded both what prosecutors recommended and what sentencing guidelines suggested. The court also ordered Fogle to pay $1.4 million in restitution to his 14 victims—the largest amount of restitution ever ordered in a child pornography or sex trafficking case in the history of the Southern District of Indiana—and to submit to a lifetime of supervised release following his imprisonment.<ref name="doj-sentence" />
Following his release and pardon, Blagojevich has remained active in public life:


== Background ==
'''Political Involvement:''' Blagojevich supported Trump's 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns and attended the 2024 Republican National Convention. He has described himself as a "Trumpocrat"—a Democrat who supports Donald Trump. In May 2025, reports indicated he was considering a bid to succeed Dick Durbin in the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Illinois, though he remained undecided on which party he would represent.<ref name="free-press">The Free Press, "Rod Blagojevich Wants to Be a 'Trumpocrat'," https://www.thefp.com/p/rod-blagojevich-rises-again</ref>


=== Early Life ===
'''Podcast Career:''' In May 2020, shortly after his release, Blagojevich launched "The Lightning Rod," a politics-themed podcast on WLS-AM 890 in Chicago. The podcast ran through September 2021, featuring his commentary on current events and politics.<ref name="wttw">WTTW Chicago, "Donald Trump Pardons Ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich," February 10, 2025, https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/10/donald-trump-expected-pardon-ex-illinois-gov-rod-blagojevich-5-years-after-commuting-his</ref>


Jared Scott Fogle was born on August 23, 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He attended North Central High School in Indianapolis and later enrolled at Indiana University in Bloomington. As a college student, Fogle was significantly overweight, reportedly weighing over 425 pounds at his heaviest.<ref name="allthats-fogle">All That's Interesting, "The Disturbing Story Of Jared Fogle," https://allthatsinteresting.com/jared-fogle.</ref>
'''Potential Appointments:''' In February 2025, Politico reported that Trump was considering nominating Blagojevich to be U.S. ambassador to Serbia—a country with ties to Blagojevich's family, as his parents emigrated from Serbia in the 1940s. When asked, Trump said "No, but I would" consider such an appointment.<ref name="cnn-pardon" />


=== Weight Loss and Rise to Fame ===
'''Book Plans:''' Following his pardon, Blagojevich announced plans to write a book about his experiences. He has made clear he will not apologize for his actions, maintaining his innocence despite the convictions.<ref name="chicago-tribune">Chicago Tribune, "What's next for pardoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich? A book and no apologies," February 11, 2025, https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/11/whats-next-for-pardoned-ex-gov-rod-blagojevich-a-book-and-no-apologies/</ref>


In the late 1990s, Fogle lost a substantial amount of weight—reportedly over 200 pounds—on a self-designed diet that consisted largely of Subway sandwiches. His story came to the attention of Subway's advertising agency, and in 2000, Fogle appeared in his first commercial for the sandwich chain. The "Jared Diet" became a marketing phenomenon, and Fogle was transformed into one of the most recognizable advertising spokesmen in America.<ref name="wiki-fogle">Wikipedia, "Jared Fogle," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Fogle</ref>
=== Limitations on His Future ===


For the next 15 years, Fogle was the public face of Subway, appearing in hundreds of commercials and making countless public appearances on behalf of the company. He established the Jared Foundation, ostensibly to combat childhood obesity—a cause that, in light of his later crimes, took on a deeply disturbing cast. Fogle became wealthy from his Subway partnership and lived in the affluent suburb of Zionsville, Indiana, with his wife and children.<ref name="cnn-sentence">CNN Money, "Jared Fogle, Ex-Subway Pitchman, Gets 15 Years in Prison for Child Porn Charges," November 19, 2015, https://money.cnn.com/2015/11/19/news/companies/jared-fogle-jail-sentence/index.html.</ref>
Despite his pardon, Blagojevich faces permanent limitations:
* The Illinois State Supreme Court '''revoked his law license''' in 2012—a pardon cannot restore it
* His 2009 '''impeachment bars him from holding office''' in Illinois
* In August 2021, he filed a lawsuit to overturn the office-holding ban, but it was '''dismissed on March 21, 2024'''
* A presidential pardon has no effect on state-level impeachment proceedings<ref name="wiki-blago" />


=== Connection to Russell Taylor ===
== Summary ==


Russell Taylor was the executive director of the Jared Foundation, the nonprofit organization Fogle had established. Unbeknownst to the public, Taylor was producing child pornography by secretly recording children in his home using hidden cameras. In May 2015, Taylor was arrested on child pornography charges after his ex-wife discovered the recordings and reported him to authorities.<ref name="wiki-fogle" />
Rod Blagojevich's political career reached its peak when he was elected Governor of Illinois in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. His downfall began on December 9, 2008, when FBI agents arrested him at his Chicago home on corruption charges. The arrest came just weeks after Barack Obama's election as President, as Blagojevich was caught on wiretaps appearing to solicit bribes in exchange for appointing someone to Obama's vacated Senate seat. In one infamous recording, Blagojevich described the Senate seat as "f***ing golden" and said he wasn't going to give it away "for f***ing nothing."<ref name="npr-pardon">NPR, "Trump pardons disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich," February 10, 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/02/10/g-s1-47817/trump-pardon-rod-blagojevich-illinois-corruption</ref>


The investigation into Taylor led investigators to Fogle. They discovered that Taylor had shared child pornography with Fogle, and that Fogle had been aware of Taylor's activities. The investigation also revealed Fogle's own pattern of seeking commercial sex with minors—conduct entirely separate from his connection to Taylor.<ref name="doj-charges" />
The Illinois House of Representatives voted unanimously (114-1) to impeach Blagojevich on January 9, 2009, and the Illinois Senate removed him from office on January 29, 2009, by a vote of 59-0, making him only the second U.S. governor to be removed from office through impeachment. The same day, the Senate voted to bar him from holding public office in Illinois.


== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==
== Background ==


=== FBI Investigation and Arrest ===
=== Early Life and Education ===


On July 7, 2015, FBI agents and Indiana State Police investigators raided Fogle's Zionsville residence and removed computers and other electronic devices. The raid was connected to the investigation that had begun with Russell Taylor's arrest. For weeks, Fogle's fate was uncertain as investigators examined the evidence they had gathered.<ref name="wiki-fogle" />
Milorod "Rod" Blagojevich was born on December 10, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, Radisa and Mila Blagojevich, immigrated to the United States from Serbia in the 1940s. He grew up on the North Side of Chicago and attended Foreman High School.


On August 19, 2015, federal prosecutors announced charges against Fogle. He was charged with one count of traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and one count of distribution and receipt of child pornography. The same day, Fogle pleaded guilty to both counts as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.<ref name="doj-charges" />
Blagojevich earned a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in 1979 and a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1983. He worked briefly as a Cook County State's Attorney and later entered private practice.


=== The Crimes ===
=== Political Career ===


The evidence against Fogle revealed a pattern of predatory behavior spanning more than a decade:
* '''1992:''' Elected to the Illinois House of Representatives
* '''1996:''' Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (5th District)
* '''1998, 2000:''' Re-elected to Congress
* '''2002:''' Elected Governor of Illinois, defeating Republican Jim Ryan
* '''2006:''' Re-elected Governor, defeating Judy Baar Topinka
* '''2009:''' Impeached and removed from office


'''Child Pornography''': Between March 2001 and May 2015, Fogle received and viewed child pornography, including material provided to him by Russell Taylor. The material included both commercially produced files and homemade recordings that Taylor had created by secretly filming children in Indiana.<ref name="doj-sentence" />
As governor, Blagojevich implemented popular programs including free public transit for seniors and expanded healthcare for children. However, his administration was plagued by corruption allegations almost from the start, with several of his appointees and associates being indicted or convicted of various crimes.<ref name="wiki-blago" />


'''Commercial Sex with Minors''': In November 2012, Fogle traveled to New York City and engaged in commercial sex with a 17-year-old girl in a hotel. After the encounter, he sent the victim text messages offering to pay her a fee if she could find other underage girls to have sex with him. This was not an isolated incident—evidence suggested Fogle had sought and engaged in commercial sex with minors on multiple occasions.<ref name="doj-charges" />
== Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing ==


=== Sentencing ===
=== Federal Investigation ===


On November 19, 2015, U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt sentenced Fogle to 188 months (15 years and 8 months) in federal prison. The sentence was three years longer than the 12.5 years prosecutors had requested and eight years longer than the defense's request for approximately 5 years.<ref name="npr-sentence" />
The FBI began investigating Blagojevich in 2004 as part of "Operation Board Games," a wide-ranging corruption probe. Agents obtained court authorization to wiretap his phones in October 2008, just before the presidential election.


Judge Pratt's sentence reflected the court's assessment of the seriousness of Fogle's crimes and his exploitation of both the victims and his public platform. In addition to the prison term, Fogle was ordered to:
=== Arrest and Charges ===


* Pay $1,400,000 in restitution to the 14 victims in the case (eight of whom were still minors), the largest amount of restitution ever ordered in a child pornography case in the Southern District of Indiana
On December 9, 2008, Blagojevich was arrested at his home on federal corruption charges. The criminal complaint alleged he had:
* Forfeit assets of $50,000
* Attempted to sell or trade Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat
* Pay a $175,000 fine
* Tried to extort the Tribune Company for campaign contributions in exchange for state assistance
* Submit to a lifetime of supervised release following his imprisonment
* Solicited bribes from a children's hospital executive
* Register as a sex offender<ref name="doj-sentence" />
* Misused state funds for campaign purposes<ref name="doj-blago">U.S. Department of Justice press releases regarding United States v. Blagojevich, 2008-2011.</ref>


At sentencing, several victims addressed the court about the impact of Fogle's crimes. Fogle apologized to his victims and acknowledged that his actions were inexcusable.<ref name="abc-sentence">ABC News, "Jared Fogle Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison," November 19, 2015, https://abcnews.go.com/US/jared-fogle-sentenced-15-years-prison/story?id=35302295.</ref>
=== Trials ===


Russell Taylor, Fogle's co-conspirator, was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for his role in producing and distributing child pornography.<ref name="wiki-fogle" />
Blagojevich's first trial in 2010 ended with the jury deadlocked on 23 of 24 charges, convicting him only of lying to federal agents. Prosecutors retried him in 2011.


== Prison Experience ==
On June 27, 2011, a federal jury convicted Blagojevich of 17 additional counts, including:
* Wire fraud
* Attempted extortion
* Soliciting bribes
* Conspiracy to solicit bribes


Fogle is serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Englewood, Colorado, a low-security federal prison near Denver. The facility houses male inmates and is part of a larger federal correctional complex.<ref name="newsweek-prison" />
=== Sentence ===


Fogle will not be eligible for release until March 24, 2029, at the earliest, after serving a minimum of 13 years of his sentence. Upon release, he will be subject to lifetime supervision and sex offender registration requirements.<ref name="newsweek-prison" />
On December 7, 2011, U.S. District Judge James Zagel sentenced Blagojevich to '''14 years in federal prison'''—one of the longest sentences ever imposed on a public official for corruption. The judge rejected Blagojevich's request for a new trial and noted his complete lack of remorse.<ref name="npr-pardon" />


== Public Statements and Positions ==
== Prison Experience ==


At his guilty plea and sentencing, Fogle acknowledged his crimes and expressed remorse. "I'm so sorry," he told the court at sentencing. However, his apology was overshadowed by the severity of his conduct and the court's determination that a significant prison sentence was warranted.
Blagojevich reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Englewood, Colorado, on March 15, 2012, to begin serving his sentence. FCI Englewood is a low-security federal prison near Denver.


Subway terminated its relationship with Fogle immediately upon learning of the investigation in July 2015. The company issued statements expressing shock and horror at the revelations about its longtime spokesman. The Jared Foundation was dissolved.<ref name="nbc-sentence">NBC News, "Jared Fogle, Ex-Subway Pitchman, Pleads Guilty to Child Porn, Sex Crimes," August 2015, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/jared-fogle-ex-subway-pitchman-pleads-guilty-child-porn-sex-n466256.</ref>
During his incarceration, Blagojevich worked various jobs including cleaning toilets and teaching history classes to fellow inmates. He maintained that he was innocent throughout his imprisonment.<ref name="wbez">WBEZ Chicago, "Trump pardons ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich 5 years after commuting his sentence," February 10, 2025, https://www.wbez.org/politics/2025/02/10/trump-blagojevich-pardon-illinois-governor-sentence-commuted</ref>


== Terminology ==
== Clemency ==


* '''Child Pornography''': Visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct involving minors, the production, distribution, and possession of which are federal crimes.
=== Commutation (2020) ===


* '''Sex Trafficking of Minors''': The recruitment, harboring, transportation, or obtaining of a minor for commercial sex acts.
On February 18, 2020, President Trump commuted Blagojevich's sentence, releasing him from prison after serving approximately eight years. Trump said Blagojevich's sentence was "ridiculous" and noted he had been on "The Celebrity Apprentice" (though Blagojevich's wife Patti actually appeared on the show, not Rod himself). The commutation freed Blagojevich but did not clear his criminal record.<ref name="wiki-blago" />


* '''Restitution''': Court-ordered payment from the offender to victims to compensate for harm caused by the crime.
=== Full Pardon (2025) ===


* '''Supervised Release''': A period of supervision following release from federal prison, during which the offender must comply with specified conditions.
On February 10, 2025, President Trump issued a '''full and unconditional pardon''' to Blagojevich, clearing his criminal record entirely. Trump called Blagojevich "a very fine person" and said "It's my honor to do it. I've watched him. He was set up by a lot of bad people." Trump said the conviction and prison sentence "shouldn't have happened."<ref name="cnn-pardon" />


== See also ==
== Frequently Asked Questions ==


* [[Ghislaine_Maxwell|Ghislaine Maxwell]]
{{FAQSection/Start}}
* [[Prison_Consultants|Prison Consultants]]


 
{{FAQ
== Frequently Asked Questions ==
|question = Who was the disgraced governor of Illinois?
{{FAQSection/Start}}
|answer = Rod Blagojevich, the 40th Governor of Illinois (2003-2009), is often referred to as the "disgraced governor" of Illinois. He was arrested on corruption charges in December 2008, impeached and removed from office in January 2009, and convicted of 18 corruption counts in 2011. He was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison—one of the longest sentences ever given to a public official. However, President Trump commuted his sentence in 2020 and granted him a full pardon in 2025.<ref name="cnn-pardon" />
}}


{{FAQ
{{FAQ
|question = Why did Jared Fogle go to prison?
|question = What did Rod Blagojevich do?
|answer = Fogle pleaded guilty in August 2015 to distribution and receipt of child pornography and traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. He admitted to receiving child pornography, knowing that it was produced using minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and to traveling across state lines to pay for sex with minors. The investigation revealed that Fogle paid for sex with minors at least 13 times between 2007 and 2015.
|answer = Blagojevich was convicted of attempting to sell Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat, extorting a children's hospital for campaign contributions, and various other corruption charges. In wiretapped conversations, he famously described the Senate seat as "f***ing golden" and said he wouldn't give it away "for f***ing nothing." He was convicted of 18 counts including wire fraud, extortion, and bribery.<ref name="npr-pardon" />
}}
}}


{{FAQ
{{FAQ
|question = How long is Jared Fogle's prison sentence?
|question = Was Rod Blagojevich pardoned?
|answer = Fogle was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison in November 2015. He was also ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution to 14 victims—$100,000 to each victim. He must register as a sex offender upon release and will be subject to supervised release for the rest of his life. His projected release date is approximately 2029.
|answer = Yes. President Trump first commuted Blagojevich's 14-year sentence in February 2020, freeing him from prison after serving 8 years. Then, on February 10, 2025, Trump granted him a full and unconditional pardon, clearing his criminal record entirely. Trump called him "a very fine person" and said he was "set up by a lot of bad people." However, the pardon cannot overturn his impeachment or restore his right to hold office in Illinois.<ref name="cnn-pardon" />
}}
}}


{{FAQ
{{FAQ
|question = What prison is Jared Fogle in?
|question = How long was Rod Blagojevich in prison?
|answer = Fogle is currently incarcerated at FCI Englewood, a low-security federal correctional institution in Colorado. He has been attacked multiple times by other inmates during his incarceration due to the nature of his crimes, which are particularly despised by other prisoners.
|answer = Blagojevich served approximately 8 years in federal prison at FCI Englewood in Colorado. He was originally sentenced to 14 years on December 7, 2011, and reported to prison on March 15, 2012. President Trump commuted his sentence on February 18, 2020, allowing his release. Trump later granted him a full pardon on February 10, 2025.<ref name="wbez" />
}}
}}


{{FAQ
{{FAQ
|question = Who was Jared Fogle before his arrest?
|question = What is Rod Blagojevich doing now?
|answer = Fogle was the longtime spokesman for Subway restaurants, famous for his story of losing over 200 pounds by eating Subway sandwiches. He became one of the most recognizable advertising figures in America, appearing in commercials for the company from 2000 to 2015. His association with the brand ended immediately upon his arrest, and Subway severed all ties with him.
|answer = As of 2025, Blagojevich is active in Republican politics, describing himself as a "Trumpocrat" (a Democrat who supports Trump). He attended the 2024 Republican National Convention and has been considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2026. He hosted a podcast called "The Lightning Rod" from 2020-2021 and is planning to write a book. Trump has also considered him for ambassador to Serbia. He remains barred from holding office in Illinois due to his impeachment.<ref name="free-press" />
}}
}}


{{FAQ
{{FAQ
|question = How was Jared Fogle caught?
|question = Can Rod Blagojevich run for office again?
|answer = Fogle was caught through an investigation that began with the arrest of Russell Taylor, the executive director of the Jared Foundation, a nonprofit Fogle founded to fight childhood obesity. Taylor was arrested for producing child pornography, and the investigation expanded to Fogle. A journalist named Rochelle Herman-Walrond also provided the FBI with recordings she had secretly made of Fogle over several years, during which he made incriminating statements about his interest in minors.
|answer = Rod Blagojevich cannot hold public office in Illinois. When the Illinois Senate removed him from office in January 2009, they also voted to permanently bar him from holding state office. This ban cannot be overturned by a presidential pardon, as it stems from state impeachment proceedings. He filed a lawsuit in 2021 to challenge the ban, but it was dismissed in March 2024. He could potentially run for federal office or office in another state.<ref name="wiki-blago" />
}}
}}
{{FAQSection/End}}
{{FAQSection/End}}


== See also ==
* [[Presidential_Clemency_and_Pardons|Presidential Clemency and Pardons]]
* [[Wire_Fraud|Wire Fraud]]
* [[Public_Corruption_Charges|Public Corruption]]


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]
[[Category:High-Profile_Federal_Offenders]]
[[Category:Pardoned]]
[[Category:Politicians]]


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             "text": "Blagojevich was convicted of attempting to sell Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat, extorting a children's hospital for campaign contributions, and various other corruption charges. In wiretapped conversations, he famously described the Senate seat as golden and said he wouldn't give it away for nothing. He was convicted of 18 counts including wire fraud, extortion, and bribery."
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             "text": "Fogle was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months (188 months) in federal prison in November 2015. He was also ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution to 14 victims—$100,000 to each victim. He must register as a sex offender upon release and will be subject to supervised release for the rest of his life."
             "text": "Yes. President Trump first commuted Blagojevich's 14-year sentence in February 2020, freeing him from prison after serving 8 years. Then, on February 10, 2025, Trump granted him a full and unconditional pardon, clearing his criminal record entirely. Trump called him a very fine person. However, the pardon cannot overturn his impeachment or restore his right to hold office in Illinois."
           }
           }
         },
         },
         {
         {
           "@type": "Question",
           "@type": "Question",
           "name": "What prison is Jared Fogle in?",
           "name": "How long was Rod Blagojevich in prison?",
           "acceptedAnswer": {
           "acceptedAnswer": {
             "@type": "Answer",
             "@type": "Answer",
             "text": "Fogle is currently incarcerated at [[FCI_Englewood_(low-security)|FCI Englewood]], a low-security federal correctional institution in Colorado. His projected release date is approximately March 2029."
             "text": "Blagojevich served approximately 8 years in federal prison at FCI Englewood in Colorado. He was originally sentenced to 14 years on December 7, 2011, and reported to prison on March 15, 2012. President Trump commuted his sentence on February 18, 2020, allowing his release."
           }
           }
         },
         },
         {
         {
           "@type": "Question",
           "@type": "Question",
           "name": "Who was Jared Fogle before his arrest?",
           "name": "What is Rod Blagojevich doing now?",
           "acceptedAnswer": {
           "acceptedAnswer": {
             "@type": "Answer",
             "@type": "Answer",
             "text": "Fogle was the longtime spokesman for Subway restaurants, famous for his story of losing over 200 pounds by eating Subway sandwiches. He became one of the most recognizable advertising figures in America, appearing in commercials for the company from 2000 to 2015."
             "text": "As of 2025, Blagojevich is active in Republican politics, describing himself as a Trumpocrat. He attended the 2024 Republican National Convention and has been considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2026. He hosted a podcast called The Lightning Rod from 2020-2021 and is planning to write a book. He remains barred from holding office in Illinois due to his impeachment."
           }
           }
         },
         },
         {
         {
           "@type": "Question",
           "@type": "Question",
           "name": "How was Jared Fogle caught?",
           "name": "Can Rod Blagojevich run for office again?",
           "acceptedAnswer": {
           "acceptedAnswer": {
             "@type": "Answer",
             "@type": "Answer",
             "text": "Fogle was caught through an investigation that began with the arrest of Russell Taylor, executive director of the Jared Foundation. Taylor was arrested for producing child pornography, and the investigation expanded to Fogle. A journalist named Rochelle Herman-Walrond also provided the FBI with recordings she had secretly made of Fogle over several years."
             "text": "Rod Blagojevich cannot hold public office in Illinois. When the Illinois Senate removed him from office in January 2009, they also voted to permanently bar him from holding state office. This ban cannot be overturned by a presidential pardon. He filed a lawsuit in 2021 to challenge the ban, but it was dismissed in March 2024. He could potentially run for federal office or office in another state."
           }
           }
         }
         }
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{{MetaDescription|Learn about Rod Blagojevich's federal case, conviction, and prison experience on Prisonpedia.}}
{{MetaDescription|Rod Blagojevich served 8 years in federal prison for corruption including trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat. Pardoned by Trump in 2025. Complete case details.}}

Latest revision as of 23:17, 29 December 2025

Rod Blagojevich
Born: December 10, 1956
Chicago, Illinois
Charges: Corruption, Wire fraud, Extortion, Bribery
Sentence: 14 years (commuted to 8, then pardoned)
Facility: FCI Englewood
Status: Pardoned

Rod Rod Blagojevich (born December 10, 1956) is a former Governor of Illinois who served 8 years in federal prison before having his sentence commuted by President Donald Trump in 2020 and receiving a full pardon in 2025. He was convicted of 18 counts of corruption, including attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, and was originally sentenced to 14 years in federal prison—one of the longest sentences ever given to a public official for corruption.[1] Blagojevich became the fourth Illinois governor in history to serve prison time and was impeached and removed from office in 2009, becoming only the second state executive to be removed in U.S. history.[2]

Current Status

As of December 2025, Rod Blagojevich is a free man following his full presidential pardon from Donald Trump on February 10, 2025. The pardon cleared his criminal record entirely. However, he remains barred from holding public office in Illinois due to his 2009 impeachment by the state legislature, a ruling that cannot be reversed by a presidential pardon. He has described himself as a "Trumpocrat" and has been active in Republican politics since his release.[1]

What Is Rod Blagojevich Doing Now (2024-2025)?

Following his release and pardon, Blagojevich has remained active in public life:

Political Involvement: Blagojevich supported Trump's 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns and attended the 2024 Republican National Convention. He has described himself as a "Trumpocrat"—a Democrat who supports Donald Trump. In May 2025, reports indicated he was considering a bid to succeed Dick Durbin in the 2026 U.S. Senate election in Illinois, though he remained undecided on which party he would represent.[3]

Podcast Career: In May 2020, shortly after his release, Blagojevich launched "The Lightning Rod," a politics-themed podcast on WLS-AM 890 in Chicago. The podcast ran through September 2021, featuring his commentary on current events and politics.[4]

Potential Appointments: In February 2025, Politico reported that Trump was considering nominating Blagojevich to be U.S. ambassador to Serbia—a country with ties to Blagojevich's family, as his parents emigrated from Serbia in the 1940s. When asked, Trump said "No, but I would" consider such an appointment.[1]

Book Plans: Following his pardon, Blagojevich announced plans to write a book about his experiences. He has made clear he will not apologize for his actions, maintaining his innocence despite the convictions.[5]

Limitations on His Future

Despite his pardon, Blagojevich faces permanent limitations:

  • The Illinois State Supreme Court revoked his law license in 2012—a pardon cannot restore it
  • His 2009 impeachment bars him from holding office in Illinois
  • In August 2021, he filed a lawsuit to overturn the office-holding ban, but it was dismissed on March 21, 2024
  • A presidential pardon has no effect on state-level impeachment proceedings[2]

Summary

Rod Blagojevich's political career reached its peak when he was elected Governor of Illinois in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. His downfall began on December 9, 2008, when FBI agents arrested him at his Chicago home on corruption charges. The arrest came just weeks after Barack Obama's election as President, as Blagojevich was caught on wiretaps appearing to solicit bribes in exchange for appointing someone to Obama's vacated Senate seat. In one infamous recording, Blagojevich described the Senate seat as "f***ing golden" and said he wasn't going to give it away "for f***ing nothing."[6]

The Illinois House of Representatives voted unanimously (114-1) to impeach Blagojevich on January 9, 2009, and the Illinois Senate removed him from office on January 29, 2009, by a vote of 59-0, making him only the second U.S. governor to be removed from office through impeachment. The same day, the Senate voted to bar him from holding public office in Illinois.

Background

Early Life and Education

Milorod "Rod" Blagojevich was born on December 10, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, Radisa and Mila Blagojevich, immigrated to the United States from Serbia in the 1940s. He grew up on the North Side of Chicago and attended Foreman High School.

Blagojevich earned a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University in 1979 and a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1983. He worked briefly as a Cook County State's Attorney and later entered private practice.

Political Career

  • 1992: Elected to the Illinois House of Representatives
  • 1996: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives (5th District)
  • 1998, 2000: Re-elected to Congress
  • 2002: Elected Governor of Illinois, defeating Republican Jim Ryan
  • 2006: Re-elected Governor, defeating Judy Baar Topinka
  • 2009: Impeached and removed from office

As governor, Blagojevich implemented popular programs including free public transit for seniors and expanded healthcare for children. However, his administration was plagued by corruption allegations almost from the start, with several of his appointees and associates being indicted or convicted of various crimes.[2]

Indictment, Prosecution, and Sentencing

Federal Investigation

The FBI began investigating Blagojevich in 2004 as part of "Operation Board Games," a wide-ranging corruption probe. Agents obtained court authorization to wiretap his phones in October 2008, just before the presidential election.

Arrest and Charges

On December 9, 2008, Blagojevich was arrested at his home on federal corruption charges. The criminal complaint alleged he had:

  • Attempted to sell or trade Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat
  • Tried to extort the Tribune Company for campaign contributions in exchange for state assistance
  • Solicited bribes from a children's hospital executive
  • Misused state funds for campaign purposes[7]

Trials

Blagojevich's first trial in 2010 ended with the jury deadlocked on 23 of 24 charges, convicting him only of lying to federal agents. Prosecutors retried him in 2011.

On June 27, 2011, a federal jury convicted Blagojevich of 17 additional counts, including:

  • Wire fraud
  • Attempted extortion
  • Soliciting bribes
  • Conspiracy to solicit bribes

Sentence

On December 7, 2011, U.S. District Judge James Zagel sentenced Blagojevich to 14 years in federal prison—one of the longest sentences ever imposed on a public official for corruption. The judge rejected Blagojevich's request for a new trial and noted his complete lack of remorse.[6]

Prison Experience

Blagojevich reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Englewood, Colorado, on March 15, 2012, to begin serving his sentence. FCI Englewood is a low-security federal prison near Denver.

During his incarceration, Blagojevich worked various jobs including cleaning toilets and teaching history classes to fellow inmates. He maintained that he was innocent throughout his imprisonment.[8]

Clemency

Commutation (2020)

On February 18, 2020, President Trump commuted Blagojevich's sentence, releasing him from prison after serving approximately eight years. Trump said Blagojevich's sentence was "ridiculous" and noted he had been on "The Celebrity Apprentice" (though Blagojevich's wife Patti actually appeared on the show, not Rod himself). The commutation freed Blagojevich but did not clear his criminal record.[2]

Full Pardon (2025)

On February 10, 2025, President Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon to Blagojevich, clearing his criminal record entirely. Trump called Blagojevich "a very fine person" and said "It's my honor to do it. I've watched him. He was set up by a lot of bad people." Trump said the conviction and prison sentence "shouldn't have happened."[1]

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Who was the disgraced governor of Illinois?

Rod Blagojevich, the 40th Governor of Illinois (2003-2009), is often referred to as the "disgraced governor" of Illinois. He was arrested on corruption charges in December 2008, impeached and removed from office in January 2009, and convicted of 18 corruption counts in 2011. He was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison—one of the longest sentences ever given to a public official. However, President Trump commuted his sentence in 2020 and granted him a full pardon in 2025.[1]



Q: What did Rod Blagojevich do?

Blagojevich was convicted of attempting to sell Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat, extorting a children's hospital for campaign contributions, and various other corruption charges. In wiretapped conversations, he famously described the Senate seat as "f***ing golden" and said he wouldn't give it away "for f***ing nothing." He was convicted of 18 counts including wire fraud, extortion, and bribery.[6]



Q: Was Rod Blagojevich pardoned?

Yes. President Trump first commuted Blagojevich's 14-year sentence in February 2020, freeing him from prison after serving 8 years. Then, on February 10, 2025, Trump granted him a full and unconditional pardon, clearing his criminal record entirely. Trump called him "a very fine person" and said he was "set up by a lot of bad people." However, the pardon cannot overturn his impeachment or restore his right to hold office in Illinois.[1]



Q: How long was Rod Blagojevich in prison?

Blagojevich served approximately 8 years in federal prison at FCI Englewood in Colorado. He was originally sentenced to 14 years on December 7, 2011, and reported to prison on March 15, 2012. President Trump commuted his sentence on February 18, 2020, allowing his release. Trump later granted him a full pardon on February 10, 2025.[8]



Q: What is Rod Blagojevich doing now?

As of 2025, Blagojevich is active in Republican politics, describing himself as a "Trumpocrat" (a Democrat who supports Trump). He attended the 2024 Republican National Convention and has been considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2026. He hosted a podcast called "The Lightning Rod" from 2020-2021 and is planning to write a book. Trump has also considered him for ambassador to Serbia. He remains barred from holding office in Illinois due to his impeachment.[3]



Q: Can Rod Blagojevich run for office again?

Rod Blagojevich cannot hold public office in Illinois. When the Illinois Senate removed him from office in January 2009, they also voted to permanently bar him from holding state office. This ban cannot be overturned by a presidential pardon, as it stems from state impeachment proceedings. He filed a lawsuit in 2021 to challenge the ban, but it was dismissed in March 2024. He could potentially run for federal office or office in another state.[2]


See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 CNN Politics, "Trump pardons former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich," February 10, 2025, https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/10/politics/trump-pardons-rod-blagojevich
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Wikipedia, "Rod Blagojevich," https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Free Press, "Rod Blagojevich Wants to Be a 'Trumpocrat'," https://www.thefp.com/p/rod-blagojevich-rises-again
  4. ↑ WTTW Chicago, "Donald Trump Pardons Ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich," February 10, 2025, https://news.wttw.com/2025/02/10/donald-trump-expected-pardon-ex-illinois-gov-rod-blagojevich-5-years-after-commuting-his
  5. ↑ Chicago Tribune, "What's next for pardoned ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich? A book and no apologies," February 11, 2025, https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/02/11/whats-next-for-pardoned-ex-gov-rod-blagojevich-a-book-and-no-apologies/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 NPR, "Trump pardons disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich," February 10, 2025, https://www.npr.org/2025/02/10/g-s1-47817/trump-pardon-rod-blagojevich-illinois-corruption
  7. ↑ U.S. Department of Justice press releases regarding United States v. Blagojevich, 2008-2011.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 WBEZ Chicago, "Trump pardons ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich 5 years after commuting his sentence," February 10, 2025, https://www.wbez.org/politics/2025/02/10/trump-blagojevich-pardon-illinois-governor-sentence-commuted


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