Elections

  

AP

 - June 22, 2009

Blagojevich Fundraiser Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

Roofing contractor Christopher Kelly was convicted of misusing company money for gambling debts.

CHICAGO -- A federal judge has sentenced a former fundraiser for ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to more than three years in prison for hiding from the Internal Revenue Service the use of company funds to pay gambling debts and other expenses.

Roofing contractor Christopher Kelly also was ordered on Monday to pay more than $600,000 in restitution to the government.

The 50-year-old Kelly is the former chairman of the Friends of Rod Blagojevich campaign fund.
Before the sentencing, Kelly told Judge Elaine Bucklo he's "deeply sorry" and embarrassed by his actions.

Kelly pleaded guilty in January in the tax case. He admitted not only using funds from his company to pay a bookie and a casino but to buy and furnish a home

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