Attorneys for Springfield powerbroker Bill Cellini are asking a judge not to send him to prison. They asked for probation instead, citing his age and serious health conditions.
Cellini is facing up to eight years in prison after extorting a Hollywood producer, asking him to make a large contribution to former governor Rod Blagojevich's campaign fund in exchange for business opportunities in the state.
Cellini's attorneys submitted nearly 370 character reference letters to the court this week. Former Governor Jim Edgar and the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon's Chief of Staff are among those who submitted letters.
(posted 3:57 p.m. 09/28/2012 by Alex Degman)