© Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated PressRod Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois, leaves his home in Chicago on Wednesday for the second day of his sentencing hearing on 18 corruption convictions.
Rod R. Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois, apologized to residents of his state, to the judge in his case and to his family on Wednesday as he spoke in court during his sentencing hearing.
"I have nobody to blame but myself for my stupidity and actions, words, things that I did, that I thought I could do," he said.
Mr. Blagojevich spoke before the federal judge who will decide his sentence for 18 felony corruption convictions, including trying to sell or trade the Senate seat that President Obama left behind when he moved to the White House. Although he had been outspoken in the past about his innocence, Mr. Blagojevich was remorseful in court on Wednesday.
"I accept the peoples' verdict, Judge, they found me guilty," he said adding later, "All I can say is I never wanted to hurt anyone."
Mr. Blagojevich's crimes carry maximum sentences that could stretch into hundreds of years behind bars, but federal prosecutors say he deserves 15 to 20 years in prison. Mr. Blagojevich's lawyers said they were seeking far less, saying simply that they were advocating for "the lowest sentence possible."