Judge Won't Reverse Shakedown Conviction Of Powerbroker Cellini
UPDATED 06/01/12 6:20 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A federal judge Thursday denied one-time political power broker William Cellini's latest bid for a new trial.
As WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts reports, in their latest attempt, Cellini's attorneys argued that prosecutors tried improperly to exclude African-Americans as jurors, but U.S. District Judge James Zagel said he found no evidence of it.
Earlier this year, Zagel rejected arguments that Cellini failed to get a fair trial because a juror lied about her criminal record.
Jurors convicted Cellini in November of conspiring to shake down the Oscar-winning producer of the movie "Million Dollar Baby" for a contribution to the campaign war-chest of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Cellini, a Springfield contractor, was an important behind-the-scenes fundraiser for both Republican and Democratic politicians in Illinois for several decades.
Cellini faces a maximum 30 years in prison when sentenced later this year.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts reports
